Waste Management will begin separate collection of yard waste in April. Those collections will begin in neighborhoods east of 72nd Street on April 2nd and then expand west of 72nd May 7th.
There are currently no limits on the amount of yard waste that will be picked up at the curb. The city's contract with Waste Management requires separate solid waste and recyclable collections for each residential customer and separate yard waste pickup from late spring until early fall.
Waste Management operates 69 daily routes for collection of solid waste and recyclables. Separate yard waste collection will add more trucks and employees. The company plans to expand its current staff of 84 drivers to 97 to provide separate collection throughout the city.
Mayor Jean Stothert has approved Waste Management's plan to phase in separate collection over the next month saying, "We expect Waste Management to provide the services required under the current contract. Waste Management's hiring and training program is underway and we anticipate they will be in full compliance in a few weeks, in time for the spring growing season."