The week of June 8-12 is the last of the three weeks when the West Hartford Department of Public Works will conduct curbside collection of yard waste. A Household Hazardous Waste Collection is scheduled for June 14.

All acceptable yard waste must be placed in 30-gallon biodegradable bags. Branches and brush up to 4″ in diameter can be bundled with organic twine, in lengths of 4′ or less. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Submitted by the Town of West Hartford

The last round of the Spring Yard Waste Collection will run June 8-12.

Place pine needles, pine cones, leaves, acorns, thatch, twigs, and dead plant matter in 30-gallon biodegradable paper bags and put the bags at the curb by 6 a.m. on your regular scheduled refuse collection day.

Bundle branches under 4 inches in diameter and 4 feet in length with organic string, twine or rope. Place bundles next to bags.

Typically during the spring months, West Hartford’s trash collection contains as much as 500-600 tons of yard waste per month. If yard waste was recycled instead of thrown away during this two-month period, the net savings to residents would range from $59,000 to $70,000. Refuse disposal rates are $62.75 per ton, while composting rates are less than half at $29.00 per ton.

“Yard Waste” is defined as leaves, pine needles, pine cones, acorns, twigs, dead plant matter from last year’s annuals and perennials and thatch. It does not include: soil, rocks or grass clippings. Yard waste bags contaminated with these items will be marked with an ‘X’ and will no longer be eligible for curbside collection.

Residents can drop off yard waste, along with other materials, throughout the year at the Recycling Center at 25 Brixton St. Information for use of the Recycling Center is found below.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection:

The MDC will hold a Household Hazardous Waste Collection at Emanuel Synagogue, 160 Mohegan Dr., on Sunday, June 14, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. The event is free. Most common items are kitchen cleaners, garage and workshop chemicals, and yard and hobby products.

New Recycling Center Hours:

The Recycling Center is open for residential yard waste disposal on Monday and Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., year round. Saturday Hours are:

April & May: 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
June to Mid-October: 8 a.m.-noon
Mid-October to Mid-December: 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Mid-December to April: Closed

Use of the Recycling Center requires an annual fee-based permit which may be purchased online at www.WestHartfordCT.gov/PublicWorks or in person at the Public Works Office, Monday-Friday,  8 a.m.-3:45 p.m. by check or cash only.

Material accepted at the Recycling Center:

• Automotive batteries – Used motor oil, used anti-freeze (must be left in non-returnable containers)
• Dirt, concrete, rocks and stones (free of metal)
• Brush (no greater than 6 inches in diameter and 4 feet in length)
• Leaves (delivered in bulk or 30-gallon biodegradable paper bags. No plastic bags accepted)
• Household recyclable items (cardboard, boxboard, paper, food, glass, and metal containers, plastics with numbers 1-7)
• Grass clippings accepted by EnviroCycle in 30-gallon biodegradable paper bags at $ 2.00 per bag.

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact the Department of Public Works between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. at 860-561-8100 or visit www.westhartfordct.gov/publicworks.