Although Tropical Storm Irma was only in Central Georgia for a day, it will take several weeks for the cleanup to happen. Macon-Bibb County crews have worked diligently all week to get the roads cleared of trees and other debris, but there is still a significant amount of debris on people’s properties that needs to be collected. To help it get collected as quickly and safely as possible, the Solid Waste Department is asking for people’s help in how it is put on the curb for collection.
 
“Complete debris removal could take several weeks because of the widespread extent of the damage,” says Solid Waste Director Kevin Barkley. “We will collect the debris from the curb, so people don’t need to worry about what they’re going to do with it. Just get it to the curb, and we’ll get it handled. All we ask is a little patience to get it all picked up.”
 
Trash Collection & Debris Removal

Garbage, recycling, and containerized yard waste collection will continue on the regular schedule, but it will take longer to get to the storm debris. Go ahead and place debris in piles on the curb so it’s there when a crew does come by for it.
 
Since Macon-Bibb crews cannot work on private property, people should move all storm debris to the curb where the equipment can reach it. People should not take the debris to the Walker Road Landfill because it cannot accept that type of material. Crews will be spending the next several weeks picking up the debris from curbs, but it will get picked up.
 
“If we pick up your trash but leave the tree trunks and debris, we will be back,” says Solid Waste Director Kevin Barkley. “We’re here to support you as you clean up your neighborhoods, and we’ll get it all picked up for you.”
 
Different types of material should be placed on the curb in their own separate piles and not mixed with each other. This will allow for regular garbage and recycling collection to continue on a daily basis while other crews can focus on storm debris. Please do NOT mix the different types of material; this will slow down the process and could mean crews cannot pick up that pile. For example, branches and limbs should not be placed in garbage cans because that material is not allowed in our landfill.
 
Material should be separated into six separate piles and not mixed with each other:

Household garbage in cans.

Recycling in cans or bins.

Containerized yard waste (leaves and pine straw) in their own bags or trash cans.

Limbs and branches cut or broken to less than four feet in length.

Tree trunks cut to less than four feet in length.

Building material blown off by the storm, like shingles, broken gutters, siding, etc.

In addition, the Fire Department is telling people to NOT burn the debris. There is still a statewide burn ban in place, and they are asking people to place debris on the curb in separate piles for Macon-Bibb crews to safely collect.
 
An infographic of the curb placement tips is below. Please share this information with your friends and family and in your workplace, whether by printing it and handing it out or hanging in in a public place, posting it on social media, or forwarding this email.
 
“Not only do we need people’s help with how the debris is placed on the curb, we need your help letting people know about these tips,” says Barkley. “Please share this information with every one you know; it will be of great help to our crews if more people know about and follow these guidelines.”