As fall approaches, city reminds residents of brush/leaf collection rules

From the City of Asheville website:

In an effort to address community concerns, conserve costs and improve water quality, changes to the brush and leaf collection program were submitted as part of the budget which was adopted by City Council on May 24. Beginning July 1, the frequency of brush and bagged leaf collection will change from once per month to twice per month.

Another change will be the elimination of loose leaf collection by vacuum trucks. Beginning July 1, all leaves must be bagged for collection. The city will provide large leaf bags to residents on a first come first served basis; bags will be available at local fire stations in October.

COLLECTION SCHEDULE

The City of Asheville collects tree limbs, bagged leaves and shrub trimmings separately from other garbage and bulky items. Brush should be placed at the curb by 7 a.m. on Monday of your pickup week. Review the collection schedule below:
Brush and Bagged Leaf Collection Schedule July 2012 – December 2013

HOW TO PREPARE BRUSH FOR COLLECTION

Tree limbs, brush and shrub trimmings must be piled loose at the curb and must be free of other debris. Large volume brush piles, brush and trimmings cut by contractors are not picked up by the sanitation division.

-To ensure that your brush is collected on schedule each week remember these tips: Brush should be placed at the curb by 7 a.m. on the Monday of your collection week.
-Place leaves, pine needles, pine cones and other small yard waste in open bags or container mark as “brush”.
-Brush needs to be but into 4 foot length and 6 inch diameter.
-Do not place bush in the street or block the sidewalk.
-Please keep brush away from other objects such as, fences, walls, water meters, utility poles, mailboxes, fire hydrants and cars.
-Avoid placing brush under utility lines and tree limbs.
-Thorny trimmings must be in a separate pile.
-Please note that the city does not collect grass clippings (homeowners may compost or leave grass on yard to fertilize lawn) or garden waste including vines and waste from flower or vegetable gardens.

BAGGED LEAVES COLLECTED YEAR ROUND

Bagged leaves are collected twice a month throughout the entire year as part of the City’s bi-weekly brush collection. Place bags or containers at the street by 7 a.m. on Monday of your collection week. Any type of lawn or garden bag will be fine to use. When the bags are emptied, they are left for you to reuse again. Here are a few guidelines to ensure that your bagged leaves are collected:
-Do not tie bags or place lids on containers.
-Do not mix trash with the bagged leaves.
-Place bags or containers near the street by 7 a.m. on Monday of your collection week.
-If using a container write “leaves” or “brush” on the container for crews to easily identify the container and not confuse it for trash collection.

BURNING OF LOOSE LEAVES

The burning of leaves is not permitted in the city and violators risk a fine from the Asheville Fire Marshal’s office. Fines can range between $250 to $500 or more, and violators may even be arrested. For more information on this, contact the Ashevill Fire Marshal’s office at (828) 259-5641. If violators are caught burning leaves, the Sanitation Division can issue a $50 fine in addition to any fines from the Fire Marshal’s office.

OTHER OPTIONS FOR DISPOSING LEAVES

One of the easiest and quickest ways to dispose of the loose leaves is to compost them. By running a mulching mower over the leaves, the leaves will compost directly into the lawn. Another way to compost them is by raking them into a compost pile. When spring arrives the leaves will have decomposed and will be a great soil additive for gardening.

The Buncombe County landfill will also accept leaves free of charge. Click here for directions to the Buncombe County landfill or call (828) 250-5462.