City sets dates for leaf, yard waste pickups

TORRINGTON — Leaf and yard waste pickup for Torrington residents begins Nov. 9 and ends Dec. 4, weather permitting. Leaves and yard waste must be placed curbside for pickup on the same day as garbage pickup. Do not call to schedule pickup. All yard waste is collected in separate trucks for recycling, please do not mix or place yard waste in piles with your garbage, according to a statement.

Yard waste includes horticultural trimmings, which are free of stones, dirt, and sharp objects; or other natural organic matter, such as grass clippings, discarded from yards and gardens. Only leaves and yard waste bagged in biodegradable paper bags or tied into bundles not exceeding 50 pounds will be picked up. Individual branches shall not exceed four feet in length or three inches in diameter. Leaves or yard waste raked into piles curbside will not be picked up.

Biodegradable paper bags can be purchased at many local stores.

“Residents are reminded that leaves and grass trimmings are a recyclable material and cannot be picked-up as part of our normal curbside collection and disposal program,” according to a statement from the city. “Take advantage of our Spring & Fall clean-ups to properly dispose of these items. Grass clippings can be easily managed during the growing season by removing grass catchers on mowers and leaving the clippings on the lawn. Grass clippings are 80 percent water and decompose quickly. Clippings also act as a natural fertilizer returning nitrogen and other nutrients to the lawn.”