Blendon Woods Civic Association

SUBSCRIBE TO YARD WASTE PICK UP: ON YOUR OWN OR AS A GROUP

Apr 22, 2009

On April 6th, Columbus City Council unanimously approved legislation to authorize a one-year contract (at $1 million) with Rumpke for continued yard waste collection in Columbus on a voluntary subscription basis. An individual homeowner can subscribe with Rumpke for weekly pick up of up to 15 bags per week for six months (mid-April to mid-October 2009, and/or mid-October 2009 to mid-April 2010) at $49.50. This works out to about $1.90 per week. However, Public Service Director Kelsey was very clear last night that there is nothing in the contract to preclude, that multiple neighbors (let's call them a "cooperative") can agree that they will designate a "yard waste captain" on whose property the bags will be placed each week, and who will actually be the only member of the cooperative to purchase a subscription (at the captain's address). The neighbors can then share the cost of the subscription and all can have yard waste picked up (by placing it on the captain's property on collection day). NOTE: The subscription fee will NOT be prorated, so a delay in signing up will effectively increase the per-week cost of a subscription.
The limit of 15 bags per week per subscription address still applies (so realistically this limits the number of neighbors that can form a cooperative unless they are willing to strictly ration or rotate their usage). If four neighbors cooperate, the cost ends up being $12.38 per six month period (about $0.48 per week). It will be up to the members of each cooperative to ensure that their "captain" actually purchases the subscription, and that non-members of their cooperative do not "contribute" additional bags on collection day. (This could be a potential problem, so everyone needs to agree to be vigilant about the collection day.)
This idea is completely compatible with the goals of our NCC member associations and Northland area Block Watches to encourage neighbors to get to know each other and work together for mutual benefit. I encourage our NCC member organizations to help residents understand the new program and the option of creating a "cooperative" with their neighbors. The number at Rumpke for subscription to the voluntary yard waste program is 1-888-786-7531. Information, including a subscription form, is available on the Rumpke Web site at:
http://www.rumpkerecycling.com/residential/municipalities/columbus.aspx
Loose materials should be placed in biodegradable (paper) bags or in rigid containers marked ?“Yard Waste.?” Bags are generally available for purchase at home improvement or grocery retail stores. Branches should be cut to four feet lengths and tied with twine or string into bundles no wider than two feet. Each bag, bundle or container must weigh less than 50 pounds.
In 2007 and 2008, Rumpke collected more than 55,000 tons of yard waste from Columbus residents, including nearly 3,000 tons of debris after the hurricane-like windstorm in September 2008.




To begin a subscription to yard waste pick up service, residents may call the Rumpke toll free line 888-786-7531 or Email: centralohio.market@rumpke.com. Sign-up forms and other guidelines are available online at www.rumpke.com.



Drop-Off Yard-Waste Recycling

Also, residents can take their yard waste ?– free of charge ?– to the following locations:
Kurtz Bros. and Mulch Manufacturing Inc. accept leaves, grass clippings, small branches and holiday trees at the locations listed below. Yard-Waste should include only organic materials from your own yard. They will not accept waste in plastic bags. You may be asked to show proof that you are a Columbus or Franklin County resident. These locations accept these materials free of charge only from residents. Professional landscapers are required to pay a fee to drop off yard waste for recycling. 6055-C Westerville Road, Westerville (Kurtz Bros.) (614 882-0200)
The Ohio Mulch locations listed below are also accepting yard waste at no charge from Columbus residents. Please be prepared with a driver?’s license or some form of documentation identifying you as a Columbus resident, otherwise you will be charged. Again, the Yard-Waste should include only organic materials from your own yard. Yard waste bagged in plastic will not be accepted. Posted signs referring to a $12 fee do not apply to Columbus residents dropping off residential yard waste. 4665 Westerville Rd. (Ohio Mulch) (614 891-3242)
You may want to call ahead to check hours. The locations may check your id for Columbus residency or your license plate for Franklin County registration in order to waive normal drop-off fees.
Fruit and vegetables are not considered yard waste and should be put in with regular trash. Dirt, rocks and sod should be taken to a site seeking fill dirt.

Do Not Burn Yard Waste
Burning yard waste sends million of spores aloft, causes breathing problems for many sensitive individuals and is prohibited by local ordinances.
Ohio Law further prohibits the burning of food wastes and other garbage Also prohibited are the burning of any materials during an air pollution warning, as well as private burning of any items collected off-site.