CONTACT: Nancy Gregg Poss, Public Information Officer, 301-360-3842
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, April 26, 2006

CITY LAUNCHES CURBSIDE YARD WASTE COLLECTION PROGRAM IN RESPONSE TO COUNTY YARD WASTE BAN THAT TAKES EFFECT MAY 1 ST

Frederick , Md ---- In an effort to divert recyclable waste, on January 17, 2006, the Frederick County Board of County Commissioners enacted Ordinance 06-03-399. Effective May 1, 2006, yard waste may no longer be disposed of in the refuse disposal area of the County Landfill. As a result, beginning May 1, 2006, the City will be adding yard waste to its list of restricted items for refuse collection; refer to Section 10-21 of the Frederick Municipal Code for a list of all restrictions. The City is pleased to announce a new Curbside Yard Waste Collection Program for all but commercial customers, as defined in Section 10-1 of the Frederick Municipal Code.

To participate in the City of Frederick’s curbside yard waste collection program place items next to the public curbs in front of your property, adjacent to waste enclosures serviced by the City, or alongside designated public alleys. Set items a minimum of three feet away from automated trash collection carts. Yard Waste should not be set out for collection earlier than 5 p.m. on the day preceding the scheduled Yard Waste Collection day, and all containers must be removed by 7 p.m. on the day of collection. Yard waste will be collected during the months of April through November, 4 a.m. to noon, Monday thru Friday exclusive of the

Yard waste should be set out prior to 4 a.m. of the dates listed below:

Neighborhood Advisory Council (NAC)  

NAC Area 1 - Beginning May 16, 2006
1st and 3rd Tuesday of Every Month

NAC Area 3 - Beginning May 9, 2006
2 nd and 4 th Tuesday of Every Month

NAC Area 4 - Beginning May 19, 2006
1st and 3rd Friday of Every Month

NAC Area 5 - Beginning May 12, 2006
2nd and 4th Friday of Every Month

NAC Areas 6 - Beginning May 8, 2006
2nd and 4th Monday of Every Month

NAC Area 7 - Beginning May 10, 2006
2nd and 4th Wednesday of Every Month

NAC Area 8 - Beginning May 17, 2006
1st and 3rd Wednesday of Every Month

NAC Area 9 - Beginning May 15, 2006
1st and 3rd Monday of Every Month

NAC Area 10 - Beginning May 18, 2006
1st and 3rd Thursday of Every Month

NAC Areas 11 & 12 - Beginning May 11, 2006
2nd and 4th Thursday of Every Month

To find your NAC area, click here, or contact Stephanie Davis, community outreach coordinator, at 301-600-1384.

The following is a list of Frequently Asked Questions regarding this new program:

How did this change come about?

In an effort to divert waste, o n January 17, 2006, the Frederick County Board of County Commissioners enacted a new Yard Waste Disposal Ordinance; effective May 1, 2006, yard waste disposal is being eliminated in the refuse disposal area of the County Landfill. ( County Ordinance 06-03-399). As a result, beginning May 1, 2006, the City of Frederick will no longer collect yard waste along with the regular municipal solid waste. In response to these changes, the City of Frederick has established a new curbside yard waste collection program for all but commercial customers, as defined in Section 10-1 of the City Code.

What yard waste can I set out?

Weeds, leaves, plants (no grass clippings), bushes, and branches less than six inches in diameter and less than seven feet in length.

What materials can NOT be set out?

Grass; edible products from any garden, yard, lawn or landscaped area; all tree/shrub waste over six inches in diameter or seven feet in length; pavement; soil; sod; or rocks.

What Neighborhood Advisory Council (NAC) am I in?

Click here, or contact Stephanie Davis, community outreach coordinator, at 301-600-1384.

How do I set out tree limbs and brush?

Brush and tree limbs must be cut into lengths not exceeding seven feet. Items must be bundled or tied with biodegradable twine or string and the bundles shall not weigh more than 25 pounds.

What containers may be used?

Up to 35 gallon containers and kraft paper bags not exceeding 50 pounds will be collected. Plastic bags are not allowed. No items over 50 lbs will be collected. Loose items such as leaves, branches, trimmings, weeds, flowers must be in containers, kraft bags or bundled with biodegradable twine or string (no wire, plastics, or nylon string). Bags shall be sealed with biodegradable twine or string only.

Does this change affect the City’s annual Leaf and Christmas Tree recycling programs?

The City will continue to collect leaves from early November through early December. Visit www.cityoffredrick.com , or call 301-600-1680 for details. The City will also continue to provide drop off locations in late December through January for Christmas trees. Visit www.cityoffredrick.com , or call 301-600-1173 for details.

Are other disposal options available?

Why are grass clippings NOT collected?

The City banned grass clipping from regular trash collection in 2002, and has also banned it from the Yard Waste Collection Program. Environmental Reasons – Grass clippings are biodegradable; combining them with garbage is a waste of valuable disposal site space. Grass decomposes in landfills, generating methane gas and acidic runoff. Economic Reasons – recycling of clippings on your yard saves the homeowner by reducing the need to fertilize and saves money by not having to collect and dispose of them.

Do I have to bag clippings for a nice lawn?

Recycling of your grass clippings is referred to as “Grasscycling”; it is an economic and environmentally friendly solution. When done properly it will provide a healthy and aesthetically-pleasing yard.