As our community recovers from Hurricane Irma, the Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County offers these tips to home owners when putting their debris piles at the curb:
Residents are encouraged to pile yard waste, such as branches, limbs and tree trunks at the curb as soon as they can.
However, yard waste debris in plastic bags should not be placed on these large piles. Any yard waste placed in bags and cans at the curb will be picked up beginning Tuesday, Sept. 19 by regular curbside collection haulers, on your regularly scheduled waste collection day, along with small vegetation piles that are 4 cubic yards or less.
Emergency debris collection teams are only removing the large piles of yard waste on the first pass. Construction debris, such as fencing, will be removed during the next pass. Mixed yard waste with construction debris or other trash will be collected last.
Waste and debris should continue to be separated into three different piles at the curb:
- Put garbage and recyclables out by 6 a.m. on your regularly scheduled day. These will be picked up first to remove any spoiled food.
- Put all vegetation only in a second pile.
- And, put all other construction storm debris in a third pile.
Be sure to keep these three piles separate and away from:
- Fences
- Fire hydrants
- Mailboxes
- Power line equipment, such as poles, transformers, downed electrical wiring
- Canal banks or rights of way (this reduces response time to remove blockages to prevent flooding)
- Storm drains
- Water meters
Palm Beach County residents are asked for patience during this emergency collection effort. There is a tremendous amount of yard waste at the curb, and everyone will have their debris collected in a safe manner. In the two collection days after the storm, there has been an almost 30 percent increase in waste collected compared to the week prior to the storm. This percentage is only expected to increase.
The SWA anticipates the cleanup to take approximately 6 to 8 weeks. Once the emergency collection teams are done, the 6 cubic yard rule will once again be enforced.
