Free storm debris disposal continues; Thanksgiving schedules noted
Marlene Feist, Utilities Communications Manager, 509.625.6505
Monday, November 23, 2015 at 4:10 p.m.
City of Spokane Solid Waste Collection crews today are reporting ongoing issues with servicing garbage, recycling, and yard waste carts in alleyways. Solid Waste trucks can’t access about 80 to 90 blocks of alleys that are normally used for collection service because of power lines and trees.
If possible, residents who live on these blocked alleys are asked to put their carts out on the streets in front of their homes for pick up this week. If that’s not possible, the City will accept extra trash from these residents when alleys are again accessible.
Meanwhile, free emergency tree and yard waste storm debris disposal is available through Sunday, Nov. 29. In the first five days of the free service, the City logged about 3,400 visits to the free disposal sites with about 1,360 tons of storm debris collected. That number doesn’t include all of the material removed by City crews; those crews also are using an additional Water Department site for some of their work.
City crews are continuing work to remove down trees from City right-of-way. Residents who need to clear storm debris from private property are encouraged to refer to the list of licensed arborists at spokanecity.org. Safety should be a priority; carefully inspect for downed power lines and gas leaks.
City officials are asking citizens to assist their neighbors who need help clearing their properties. Residents who use commercial services to remove trees shouldn’t pay for disposal if their contractors are taking advantage of free disposal services. Tree material from private property should not be placed into the street; there isn’t a collection service for such material and it poses a hazard for the traveling public and emergency responders.
Because of the Thanksgiving holiday, garbage pickup and curbside recycling will be a day late this week for residents whose garbage is normally picked up on Thursday and Friday. Because of the holiday, crews will do Thursday rounds on Friday, Nov. 27, and Friday rounds on Saturday, Nov. 28.
Additionally, the Waste to Energy Facility, 2900 S. Geiger Blvd., and Northside Landfill, 5502 W. Nine Mile Road – the two sites where storm debris is being collected for free – will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26.
Otherwise, the landfill is open from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and the Waste to Energy Facility is open from 7:30 to 5 p.m. daily through Nov. 29, for the free service. All commercial customers should take storm debris to the Northside Landfill. For smaller yard waste material in residential neighborhoods, the City has extended its curbside yard waste collection program for two additional weeks through Dec. 18. Customers can place yard debris from the storm in their green yard waste carts. Branches must be smaller than 3 inches in diameter. Curbside yard waste collection is a voluntary, subscription service.
The Spokane County Regional Solid Waste System also is accepting residential storm-related yard and tree waste for free at its North County Transfer Station, 22123 N. Elk-Chattaroy Road, between 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Nov. 29.
Please note that the free disposal services are for clean green tree and yard waste, not shingles or other building materials.
