Every Beaufort County household will have its trash and recycling handled through a curbside pickup system by 2020, county leaders announced this month.
The changes will standardize for every resident what is now spotty and varying service for garbage, recycling and yard waste based on what town or gated community a person lives in.
"We can do it at a lower cost if we can get everybody to participate," Beaufort County solid-waste manager Jim Minor said. "The problem is, historically, some people won't participate unless it's mandatory."