Collar City issues changes to yard waste collection
TROY, N.Y. » Starting Aug. 1, Troy will no longer collect yard waste/leaf bags contaminated with non- organic materials (metals, plastics, cardboard/paper, etc.) or yard waste which has been put in plastic bags.
The change results from a notice from the vendor who grinds and hauls our yard waste that the contamination levels are very high.
Contamination is caused by unaccepted materials (metals, plastics, cardboard/ paper, fertilizer bags) being placed in yard waste bags for disposal
High contamination levels require additional sorting from the vendor, which cause increased fees to process these materials and additional costs for the city and public
Residents can help eliminate this problem by appropriately sorting through materials placed in yard bags before collection. By working together we can prevent increases in costs due to additional labor-hours to handle this contamination.
Yard waste bags should only contain:
• grass clippings
• leaves
• weeds
• other leafy materials • Brush (cuttings from trees and large shrubs) cannot be disposed of using yard waste bags
• Place brush and other oversize branches directly on the edge of your sidewalk or alley.
• Residents and property owners will still be required to call for collection requests.
• Residents should contact the DPW dispatcher at (518) 270- 4579 to request leaf/yard waste pickup.
Yard waste bags should not contain:
• Plastic gardening waste (plastic plant pots, trays, or mulch/soil/fertilizer bags)
• Other non-organic materials (plastics, metal, aluminum, cardboard/paper)
• Dog waste
• Garbage
• Construction or demolition materials (sheetrock, lumber, etc.)
What’s changing?
City crews will place stickers (see below) on yard waste bags deemed too contaminated for collection; or placed in plastic bags.
These bags will not be collected. Residents can remove the contaminating materials and place the bags out for collection at a future date. A new collection request will be required for DPW to collect.
For more information, contact Renee Panetta, City of Troy Recycling Coordinator, at renee.panetta@troyny.gov or (518) 279-7171.