The City of Greensboro has implemented so many changes and so many variations of yard waste collection in recent years that you could be forgiven for just giving up and leaving what you want at the curb the way you want to do it and seeing what the city crews do or don’t pick up.
The policies on leaves, for instance, have gone from things like leave them at the curb by November 1 and maybe we’ll pick them up by the end of the year, to the policy of “Just leave your leaves where they fall – it’s good for the yard.”
Well, city officials at least recognize that it’s hard to follow the policies – especially this year, when dark gray yard waste containers started showing up at everyone’s houses.
So, on Tuesday, Oct. 1, the City of Greensboro issued a summary and reminder of where the policy on yard waste stands as of 11:49 a.m. on the first day of October 2024.
Here are some of the reminders and guidelines that city officials put out regarding your legal options…
- Put your fall yard waste, including leaves, in your 95-gallon gray yard waste cart. Bag additional leaves using paper yard waste bags and/or bundle sticks with natural twine. Up to 10 bags or bundles will be collected from the curb weekly year-round. If you need a second 95-gallon gray yard waste cart, you can call 336-373-2489 and buy one for $65.
- From November to February, crews will collect up to 15 paper bags/bundles of yard waste from the curb.
- Compost or mulch your leaves.
The City still encourages you to “Leave your leaves where they fall,” because “Leaves provide important habitats for many different species.”
Also, “Remember that leaves should not be raked or blown into the curb, right-of-way, or street. Improperly prepared leaves that create a nuisance may be reported to the City’s Code Compliance Division at 336-373-2111.”
Violators may be fined by the city for breaking the rules and additional fines may be tacked on if the situation isn’t resolved in a timely manner.
Burning any type of yard waste – including leaves – is forbidden in the city of Greensboro.
“The city ordinances in this regard are “designed to protect public health and safety,” city officials state.
You can still use fire pits for recreational purposes – but not to burn yard debris.
Also, the Greensboro Fire Department encourages residents to use their new yard waste carts or paper yard waste bags for leaf disposal, and to take advantage of the city’s yard waste collection services.
If you want more guidance on getting rid of yard debris and other waste, you can download the GSO Collects App to get a personalized collection schedule, search for what goes where, and more.
Also, you can learn other info at www.greensboro-nc.gov/yardwaste.
So, on Tuesday, Oct. 1, the City of Greensboro issued a summary and reminder of where the policy on yard waste stands as of 11:49 a.m. on the first day of October 2024.
Here are some of the reminders and guidelines that city officials put out regarding your legal options…
- Put your fall yard waste, including leaves, in your 95-gallon gray yard waste cart. Bag additional leaves using paper yard waste bags and/or bundle sticks with natural twine. Up to 10 bags or bundles will be collected from the curb weekly year-round. If you need a second 95-gallon gray yard waste cart, you can call 336-373-2489 and buy one for $65.
- From November to February, crews will collect up to 15 paper bags/bundles of yard waste from the curb.
- Compost or mulch your leaves.
The City still encourages you to “Leave your leaves where they fall,” because “Leaves provide important habitats for many different species.”
Also, “Remember that leaves should not be raked or blown into the curb, right-of-way, or street. Improperly prepared leaves that create a nuisance may be reported to the City’s Code Compliance Division at 336-373-2111.”
Violators may be fined by the city for breaking the rules and additional fines may be tacked on if the situation isn’t resolved in a timely manner.
Burning any type of yard waste – including leaves – is forbidden in the city of Greensboro.
“The city ordinances in this regard are “designed to protect public health and safety,” city officials state.
You can still use fire pits for recreational purposes – but not to burn yard debris.
Also, the Greensboro Fire Department encourages residents to use their new yard waste carts or paper yard waste bags for leaf disposal and to take advantage of the city’s yard waste collection services.
If you want more guidance on getting rid of yard debris and other waste, you can download the GSO Collects App to get a personalized collection schedule, search for what goes where, and more.
Also, you can learn other info at www.greensboro-nc.gov/yardwaste.
This fall is going to be a cluster$%#k! It will be sad…but somewhat fun to watch. And don’t worry about fines. Code enforcement doesn’t do their current job and doesn’t want the added duties so they will just push off the complaints to Solid Waste who doesn’t have enforcement power.