County issues guidance on yard waste

Clay County officials guided residents in preparing yard waste for pickup by county contractors after winds from Hurricane Ian produced excessive yard waste.

The county said in a news release that all yard waste should be properly prepared for regular curbside collection.

“In addition to the normal yard waste crews,’ officials said, “the county is working with Waste Management and the City of Green Cove Springs for the use of their clamshell or grapple trucks to assist in collecting the unusually high volume of yard waste.”

The county said Waste Management’s truck is available daily, and Green Cove Springs’s two trucks will assist on Wednesday and Saturday. Tree surgeons and contractors must haul away all materials from any work they perform.

The county added the following guidance for yard waste preparation for pickup.

—Small branches, leaves, grass clippings, small yard waste piles, and palm fronds must be containerized (40 gallons or less) or bagged.

—Containers, bags, and limbs cannot exceed 50 lbs.

—Large branches must be cut into four-foot lengths and stacked neatly curbside.

—Waste Management will collect up to five cubic yards (4’ x 4’ x 8’) of yard waste each week.

“Residents can also drop off yard waste at no charge at the Rosemary Hill Solid Waste Collection Facility through October 11 during normal business hours,” the county said.