MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
October 5, 2009
For More Information:
John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798
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City of Columbus, SWACO To Expand Yard Waste
Free Drop-off Sites on Six Consecutive Saturdays During Fall
The City of Columbus and the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO) will provide six additional free yard waste drop-off sites on six consecutive Saturdays, October 31 through December 5, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The drop-off locations will be the same on each of the six Saturdays, and are in addition to nine free ongoing yard waste drop-off sites.
“We are working together with SWACO to make it more convenient for Columbus residents to drop off their leaves and other yard waste during the peak of the fall yard waste season,” said Mayor Michael B. Coleman. “Until we are able to restore regular yard waste collection next spring, it is important to provide these additional locations that will be more accessible to our neighborhoods.”
Residents should put their leaves and other yard waste in paper yard waste bags and bundle tree branches and twigs for drop off. Yard waste should not be mixed in with regular trash. The recycling of yard waste saves the City money it would otherwise be charged in tipping fees to dispose of the waste, so it should not be mixed with
regular trash.
"Providing Columbus residents with more opportunities for free disposal of yard waste in a responsible manner was a major priority for City Council,” said Hearcel F. Craig, chair of the Public Service Committee. “I applaud the mayor’s administration and SWACO for taking our concerns seriously and adding these drop-off locations as we look forward to resuming our normal yard waste removal program next year.”
Yard waste disposed of properly is taken to a processing center and turned into soils, mulches
and compost. SWACO will provide trucks, dumpsters and personnel at all six sites during the special Saturday drop-off opportunities.
“We appreciate SWACO stepping up with us to help make yard waste disposal easier for Columbus residents during difficult economic times for the city,” said Department of Public Service Director Mark Kelsey. “These additional Saturday drop off locations will give residents more opportunities closer to home to get rid of their leaves and other yard waste before winter sets in.”
“SWACO saw a need on the part of Columbus residents,” says SWACO Executive Director Ron Mills. “We are glad to be working with Columbus to assist residents with their fall cleanup. This will help us keep leaves and branches out of the waste stream and ensure that they will be properly composted.”
The locations are:
- Department of Public Service 25th Avenue Material Yard; 1881 East 25th Avenue
- Department of Public Service Transportation North Outpost; 500 Scherer’s Court
- City of Columbus Westgate Park; 455 South Westgate Avenue
- Department of Public Utilities Electricity offices; 3568 Indianola Avenue
- Department of Public Utilities Fairwood Avenue Facility; 1250 Fairwood Avenue
- City of Columbus Fleet Management Division Facility; 4211 Groves Road
The city continues to provide free yard waste drop off at nine previously announced locations:
- Com-Til, the City’s compost facility (no grass clippings): 7000 Jackson Pike, Columbus (614) 645-3152
- Kurtz Bros. and Mulch Manufacturing Inc. (leaves, small branches, grass clippings and holiday trees): Residents may be asked to show proof that you are a Columbus or Franklin County resident. Professional landscapers required to pay drop off fee
2850 Rohr Road, Groveport (Kurtz Bros.); (614) 491-0868
6055-C Westerville Road, Westerville (Kurtz Bros.); (614) 882-0200
6279 Houchard Road, Dublin (Kurtz Bros.); (614) 873-2000
6747 Taylor Road S.W. (Mulch Manufacturing, Inc.); (614) 864-4004 - The Ohio Mulch: Please be prepared with a driver’s license or some form of documentation identifying you as a Columbus resident, otherwise you will be charged. Posted signs referring to a $12 fee do not apply to Columbus residents dropping off residential yard waste.
4120 Roberts Road, Columbus (Ohio Mulch); (614) 921-9330
4665 Westerville Rd. (Ohio Mulch); (614) 891-3242
1600 Universal Rd. (Ohio Mulch); (614) 445-4455
537 Reynoldsburg-New Albany Rd. (Ohio Mulch); (614) 863-0445
The new locations bring to 15 the total of free drop off yard waste sites in the city of Columbus.
Columbus residents who wish to have curbside pickup of their yard waste may also subscribe through Rumpke for service running from October through mid-April 2010. Subscription cost is $49.50.
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