At least on the calendar, spring is here again, and yard waste pickup begins on Monday, March 28 – time to clean up the branches downed by recent high winds.
Yard waste pickup will last this year until Dec. 2. Residents may place yard waste items at the curb on their regular trash/recycling pickup days each week.
Leaves and other yard waste should be placed in specially-marked containers and/or paper yard waste bags, the latter of which are available at most area grocery and hardware stores. Approved containers may be up to 32 gallons in size and should be clearly marked “yard waste only.” Each bag or container may not weigh more than 50 pounds.
Extra “yard waste only” stickers for marking containers are available in the Utility Billing Office on the first floor of City Hall, 10 N. Division St.
Residents also have the option of renting a 96-gallon cart, specially designed for yard waste collection, from Waste Management. These can be used for trash during the winter months, December to March. Call 866-797-0918 for options and pricing.
Other options for addressing yard waste are mowing the lawn and leaving the grass to create natural mulch, or hauling yard waste to Brice Pit, the city’s compost site, at 715 W. River Road. Please don’t let leaves and other lawn debris run into storm drains on city streets.
More information on yard waste and recycling are available on our website, www.battlecreekmi.gov/recycling.