A greener spring yard waste collection

WEST HARTFORD – The West Hartford Department of Public Works will spread out its Spring Yard Waste Collection over a three-month period beginning the week of April 21 to give residents a greater opportunity to recycle pine needles, pine cones, leaves, acorns, thatch, twigs, and dead plant matter instead of disposing of these items into the waste stream.

Typically during the spring months, West Hartford's trash collection contains as much as 500-600 tons of yard waste per month. If yard waste was recycled instead of thrown away during this two-month period, the net savings to residents would range from $59,000 to $70,000. Refuse disposal rates are $58.75 per ton, while composting rates are less than half at $29.50 per ton.

"Yard Waste" is defined as leaves, pine needles, pine cones, acorns, twigs, dead plant matter from last year's annuals and perennials and thatch. It does not include: soil, rocks or grass clippings. Yard waste bags contaminated with these items will be marked with an 'X' and will no longer be eligible for curbside collection. 

2014 Annual Collection Schedule:

April 21-April 25
May 12-May 16
June 2-June 6

Yard Waste will be collected on your regular scheduled Refuse Collection Day. Excessive volume or inclement weather may cause a delay in collection. Typical delay is one day.

Presenting Spring Yard Waste for collection:

• Residents should place their 30-gallon biodegradable paper bags at the curb, separate from their trash, by 6:00 AM on their refuse collection day.
• Branches and Brush up to 4 inches in diameter and up to 4 feet in length will be accepted only if they are bundled with organic twine.
• Bundles tied with wire, nylon or plastic twine will not be collected. These materials are problematic to the grinding equipment.
• Yard waste bags contaminated with soil, rocks or grass clippings will be marked with an 'X' and will no longer be eligible for curbside collection.
• Bags and bundled material must be 4 feet or less in length and weigh no more than 60 pounds.

Who is eligible for curbside spring yard waste collection?

Only residential properties receiving West Hartford refuse and recycling collection.

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact the Department of Public Works between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM at 860-561-8100 or visit www.westhartford.org/publicworks.