When you can expect trash, yard debris to be picked up

WEST PALM BEACH — Palm Beach County, municipal governments and private trash agencies are bracing for tons of materials generated before and after Hurricane Irma.

The Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County said this week that it has resumed collection of garbage and recyclables after its processing facility regained power.

But it said it won’t start gathering yard trash right away.

Also, the authority might get to it on a day that’s not your regular pickup day, so get it to the curb now. The authority said it might be weeks before the first collection reaches everyone.

The authority also warned it will not reimburse customers who hire a private contractor to collect your trash.

People should put yard trash and construction debris in separate piles and keep those piles away from fences, mailboxes, power lines and their equipment, water meters, fire hydrants and storm drains.

The authority said last year that Hurricane Matthew in October generated 95,000 cubic yards of garbage and yard trash. The Matthew cleanup ended up costing the authority $1.2 million in emergency costs.

The authority also said its debris management contractor, Thompson Consulting Services, is hiring removal monitors. Applicants can inquire online at www.stormjob.com.

You are not permitted to burn residential yard trash in Palm Beach County, and could be fined, Florida Forest Service spokesman Scott Peterich said. And, he said, if fire escapes, you may be held liable for firefighting costs and damages. Farm operations are allowed to burn, with authorization from the forest service.

Pickup details

Boca Raton: Some service has restarted.

Boynton Beach: Garbage collection began Tuesday. Starting today, the city will add recyclables and yard trash. The city said it could take two months to get every- thing at the curb.

Delray Beach: Debris pickup might start as early as this week but could take weeks to collect.

Jupiter: Garbage collection resumed Tuesday. Recycling pickup resumed Wednesday. Town officials will notify residents when yard debris pickup resumes.

Lantana: Garbage collection resumed Tuesday. Recycling, yard trash and construction debris pickup resume today.

North Palm Beach: Today, garbage, yard trash and recycling only. On Friday, garbage and trash only.

Palm Beach Gardens: Garbage pickup has restarted and is on regular schedules. Yard trash started Wednesday.

Royal Palm Beach: Garbage collection resumed Tuesday. Yard trash and construction debris started Wednesday. Recycling resumes Monday.

Wellington: Garbage collection resumed Tuesday, and recycling Wednesday.

West Palm Beach: Garbage pickup starts today. Yard trash pickup began Wednesday. The city has not yet started pickup of construction debris or bulk items such as appliances or furniture.