The Shawano Public Works Department has scheduled Oct. 14 for the beginning of fall curbside leaf collection. Leaves will be collected through Nov. 22.
City residents should have their loose leaves at the curbside on their normal scheduled garbage collection day. City crews may run behind schedule during this time, and residents’ patience and understanding are appreciated.
The limit of six bags or containers of yard waste will be waived during this time. After Nov. 22, place all yard waste and leaves in paper 30-gallon capacity biodegradable bags or plastic containers and set at the curbside on the normal garbage collection day.
If you place yard waste in a plastic container, a yellow Shawano Yard Waste sticker must be placed on the container clearly visible to the collection crew. Stickers are available at the public works office at 2905 E. Richmond St. and at Shawano City Hall, 127 S. Sawyer St.
To help city staff more efficiently collect leaves, remember the following:
• Rake leaves in windrows (a long narrow line) rather than piles next to the curb. Also, the city will not pick up anything in the alley.
• Keep windrows as close to the curb as possible, but do not rake leaves into the street. This is a violation of a city ordinance and will plug the storm sewers.
• Keep windrows away from trees, hydrants, signs, posts, electrical pedestals or other obstacles.
• Keep all garbage, metal, branches and sticks out of the windrows.
• Crews will not pick up any plastic bags that are filled with leaves or yard waste an any tine.
• Do not park vehicles next to the leaf windrows. If crews cannot get their vacuum to the windrows, they will have to wait until the next collection day.
• Remember that weather may slow down the leaf picker. The vacuum will not work if the leaves are extremely wet or if it is snowing. This is a two-person operation, so windrows must be narrow and close to the curb.
• Bulky limbs and cuttings from trees and shrubs must be cut into 4-foot lengths and tied into bundles not more than 2 feet in diameter. Wood and brush should not be placed in a container or garbage can. Place this directly on the curb. All property owners are responsible for disposing of entire trees that are left at the terrace for collection.
Grass, leaves, and garden waste are composted at the landfill and can be taken to the landfill by any city resident during normal business hours, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. The landfill will also be open on Saturdays until Nov. 9 from 8 a.m. to noon.
For information, call the public works office at 715-526-3512.
Leaf collection begins Oct. 14 in Shawano
