Slack Yard Waste Crews

Posted in: Madison Park

I have noticed for the last few months that yard waste crews are more apt to not pick up branches if not in paper bags or in personal yard waste cans.    You are still allowed to place branches in small piles at curb the day prior to pickup. You should have small piles that crews can pick up by hand, and are spaced out along the curb.   The crews should pick them up.   The problem is if it is single pile or limb they just drive past it more likely than not.  Lazy? Blind? Combination?  I am not sure.   I would suggest you report to 311 each time this happens.  I do know they have been told to pick this stuff up.   I have a contact from serving on Mecklenburg Waste Management Advisory Board for the last 9 years that is with City of Charlotte Solid Waste.  I have been making her aware and she has sent crews back out the next day to pick up missed piles.   

 

I have seen some locations the trucks have driven past for over a month!  

 

This has never been an issue until the last few months!   I have lived in Madison Park for decades. 

 

With the addition of paper bags the job should be a little easier overall now than in the past, so not sure why they just don't bother to stop and pick up these small piles of limbs, branches placed at curb for pickup un-bagged!   

 
 
 
 
 

Yard Waste

Yard waste is collected from the curb once a week on your scheduled collection day provided the materials meet preparation requirements. Yard waste is made into mulch and compost for reuse.

 
 

How To Prepare Yard Waste For Collection:

  • Place yard waste at the curb by 6:00 am on your scheduled collection day.

  • Place yard waste within six feet of the curb and at least three feet away from other collection items (including other yard waste) and obstacles such as mailboxes, phone poles and vehicles, etc. Do not block the sidewalk.

  • Please place yard waste at the curb no sooner than the day before collection. A minimum $150 citation may be issued if you place yard waste at the curb sooner than the day before collection.

  • Please do not blow yard waste into the street.

Note: Residents must use paper yard waste bags or reusable containers weighing no more than 75 pounds when preparing leaves and grass clippings for yard waste collection. Loose debris (i.e. limbs and branches) will be collected. Residents can pick up bags at 1200 Otts Street Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. - noon and 1-3:30 p.m. while supplies last.

Brush 

  • Brush should be no longer than five feet in length and four inches in diameter.

  • Separate brush into piles that are no longer than five feet long and three feet high. There should be two feet in between each pile.

Limbs 

  • Limbs must be no longer than five feet in length and no larger than four inches in diameter.

  • Limbs should be separated in piles that are no longer than five feet long and three feet high. There should be two feet in between each pile.

  • Limbs should not be tied.

  • Limbs may be placed in containers for collection.

Logs 

  • Logs must be under four inches in diameter

  • Tree stumps will not be collected.





 
 

Prefer to Use Grass Clippings for Mulch?

Leaving grass clipping on the lawn after mowing ensures that nutrients will be returned to the soil. Grass clippings are 20-30% protein and usually contain about 4% nitrogen, 2% potassium and 0.5% phosphorus as well as all the necessary trace elements plants need.

When leaving clippings on the lawn, adjust your lawn mower to remove no more than one third of the grass leaf surface at any one mowing. Any mower can be used, but one that mulches as it cuts is best. Use a slow-release fertilizer, water when necessary, and mow the grass at the proper height.

City did return and pick up those locations Friday that I noticed were missed once again after I alerted a city contact yesterday am that the problem with not picking up small piles, or a branch or two out for pickup continues.    

 

Again if this happens to you call 311.  This has been an issue in this area since early summer.   It started after they could not do pickups for a few weeks on time due to shortage of staff.   This has never been an issue in all the decades I have lived in Madison Park.    It is a new problem!   

 

They missed my house 3 weeks ago.  The truck came down and drove past my pile of limbs.   I contacted my friend with a picture and requested if a truck was nearby they return.  They sent a truck back to clean up.  I saw one location go 5 weeks without the limbs being picked up that were curb side. 

 

You are allowed to place limbs or branches that fit these sizes below on curb without being in containers or paper bags.  

 

  • Separate brush into piles that are no longer than five feet long and three feet high. There should be two feet in between each pile.

Limbs 

  • Limbs must be no longer than five feet in length and no larger than four inches in diameter.

  • Limbs should be separated in piles that are no longer than five feet long and three feet high. There should be two feet in between each pile.

  • Limbs should not be tied.

  • Limbs may be placed in containers for collection.

Logs 

  • Logs must be under four inches in diameter

  • Tree stumps will not be collected.

Advertise Here!

Promote Your Business or Product for $10/mo

istockphoto_2518034-hot-pizza.jpg

For just $10/mo you can promote your business or product directly to nearby residents. Buy 12 months and save 50%!

Buynow