There will be one week during each of the next three months when the West Hartford Department of Public Works will conduct curbside collection of yard waste.

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 West Hartford Department of Public Works will spread out its Spring Yard Waste Collection over a three-month period beginning the week of April 27 to give residents a greater opportunity to recycle pine needles, pine cones, leaves, acorns, thatch, twigs, and dead plant matter instead of disposing of these items into the waste stream.

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.

2015 Annual Collection Schedule:

April 27-May 1
May 18-May 22
June 8-June 12

Yard Waste will be collected on your regular scheduled Refuse Collection Day. Excessive volume or inclement weather may cause a delay in collection. Typical delay is one day.

Who is eligible for curbside spring yard waste collection?

Only residential properties receiving West Hartford refuse and recycling collection.

Presenting Spring Yard Waste for collection:

• Residents should place their 30-gallon biodegradable paper bags at the curb by
  6 a.m. on their refuse collection day.
• Branches and Brush up to 4 inches in diameter and up to 4 feet in length will be accepted only if they are bundled with organic twine.
• Bundles tied with wire, nylon or plastic twine will not be collected. These materials are problematic to the grinding equipment.
• Yard waste bags contaminated with soil, rocks or grass clippings will be marked with an ‘X’ and will no longer be eligible for curbside collection.
• Bags and bundled material must be 4 feet or less in length and weigh no more than 60 pounds.

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.