Town Gets 'Greener' with Spring Yard Waste Collection

The will offer a Spring Yard Waste Collection program over a three-month period. Specifically, DPW will pick up yard waste during the weeks of April 9, May 14, and June 11. 

By offering a Spring Yard Waste Collection each month, residents will have 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.

For each of the spring months of April, May, and June, West Hartford’s trash collection typically contains as much as 500-600 tons of yard waste each month. If yard waste was recycled instead of thrown away during this three-month period, the net savings to residents would range from $59,000 to $70,000. Refuse disposal rates are $69.00 per ton while composting rates are less than half, at $29.50 per ton. 

The first round of collection will take place during the week of April 9, the second round during the week of May 14, and the third and final round during the week of June 11. DPW crews will make a complete pass of all West Hartford residential neighborhoods during each round of collection. 

Residents should place their 30-gallon biodegradable paper bags at the curb, separate from their trash, by 6 a.m. on their refuse collection day. Branches up to 4 inches in diameter and up to 4 feet in length will be accepted also if bundled with organic twine, since the branches are recycled into wood chips.  Bundles contaminated with wire, nylon, plastic twine or greater than 50 lbs. will not be collected.

“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. 

Residents may also bring their bags with yard waste to the Recycling Center located at 25 Brixton Street, West Hartford. Plastic bags containing yard waste must be emptied in the designated area because plastic bags are not recyclable.

Recycling Center hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on Saturdays: from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. (April and May). In June, Saturday hours are from 8 a.m. until noon.

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact the Department of Public Works between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. at (860) 561-8100.

Submitted release.