West Hartford’s Department of Public Works is asking residents to properly dispose of their yard waste.

Yard waste should not be disposed of as trash. Courtesy image

By Ronni Newton

While West Hartford residents have been increasing efforts to properly dispose of their yard waste, the Department of Public Works does often find materials that don’t belong in either the trash or recycling bins.

“In Connecticut it is mandated that yard waste be diverted from the solid waste stream,” Public Works officials said in a reminder to residents. “Yard waste is not allowed in any trash or recycle barrel.”

The state’s goal is to divert 60% of material from the trash stream by 2024, and keeping yard waste out of the trash stream is one of the key methods of reaching compliance. And as evidence of successfully moving in the right direction, according to the Public Works Department in FY2020 West Hartford residents successfully diverted 2,583 tons from the waste stream.

“Composting organic material, recycling, and repurposing all help in reducing the volume of trash West Hartford produces. Collected yard waste gets turned into valuable mulch and compost which is then offered free to residents. Composting yard waste is better for the environment than shipping it off to be burned or transported out of state,” Public Works officials said.

To properly dispose of yard waste, residents are asked to place material at the curb by 6 a.m. on the same day as their recycling day, either in biodegradable yard waste bags or bundled with organic twine. Materials can also be placed in brown yard waste barrels, which can be purchased through the Department of Public Works.

Since the brown barrels have been available, 2,860 have been purchased.

Residents can also disposed of yard waste at the Yard Waste and Recycling Center, 25 Brixton St. An annual permit is required.

For more information about yard waste, or to purchase a yard waste barrels visit the Department of Public Works website.

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