Holly Springs Public Works is ready for peak leaf season when the highest volumes of yard waste are collected every year. The Town is launching new geographic zones where yard waste will be collected during scheduled weeks.
From November through February, your leaves and yard waste will be collected each month during your zone’s collection week as shown on the map (pg 10).
Before 7 a.m. on Monday morning of your assigned collection week, separate limbs and sticks from your leaf piles and place the piles off the street and away from storm drains.
We’re talking with Public Works Director Paige Scott to get the scoop on this season’s collection. For more info on yard waste collection, visit www.hollyspringsnc.gov/yardwaste.
Q: Why does the town move to a different collection schedule during leaf season?
A: As the town has grown, so has our leaf and yard waste collection demand. We have a lot of beautiful trees in town, and those trees generate massive amounts of leaves that are collected this time of year.
With the new leaf season collection plan, designed with residents in mind, we want to provide a dependable yard waste collection experience. Using geographic zones allows us to continue to provide a high level of service and give our customers a more predictable schedule for pickup.
Q: How does this new schedule work?
A: Crews will collect yard waste from each zone four times – about once every month – during leaf season, which begins in November and concludes in February 2023. Check out your zone and your scheduled collection weeks using the map. The schedule gives Town crews the flexibility to collect your yard waste any time during your scheduled week. This allows crews to serve as many homes as possible, as quickly as possible. The new schedule also reduces the impact of potential inclement weather or equipment repairs that can delay collections.
Q: I saw the vacuum truck pass my house. Why weren’t my leaves collected?
A: The leaf collection truck may have been full and could be returning soon after emptying. Or, crews may have been unable to collect your yard waste if it contained leaves mixed with other materials that could damage collection equipment. Also, make sure no vehicles are parked near your leaf piles, and make sure obstacles such as waste receptacles, sports goals, and basketball hoops are removed from near the yard waste. Sometimes our collection trucks are unable to reach the piles of leaves because a vehicle or another type of obstacle is blocking our truck from reaching the yard waste.
Q: How do I leave my yard waste out for collection this season?
A: Yard waste collection is a collaboration between residents and the town. We need your help to make it work! When it’s your week for collection, place your leaf piles separate from sticks, limbs, rocks, and other materials.
Keeping your leaves separate helps reduce equipment damage that could lead to service delays. Different types of vehicles collect different types of waste, and the vacuum trucks that collect leaves are damaged by sticks and rocks mixed in with leaves or hidden beneath them. Broken equipment can mean delays in service.
Also, place leaf piles off the street and away from storm drains. This helps keep streets clear and safe for travel while preventing clogged drains and flooded roads.
Remember to have your yard waste out for collection before 7 a.m. on the Monday morning of your assigned collection week. And, make sure no vehicles are parked near the leaf piles so our equipment can get to your yard waste. Be courteous to your neighbors and don’t put your leaves out until your scheduled week; this will help keep roads clear.
Q: What if I have lots of yard waste and it’s not my scheduled week for collection?
A: Anytime during the year, large amounts of yard waste that exceed 2 ½ cubic yards, about the load size of a pickup truck, can be scheduled for an extra pickup for an additional fee. Contact Public Works at (919) 552-5920 for more information.
Q: What if I hire a professional landscaper?
A: Professional landscapers and tree service contractors must remove all leaves and yard waste they generate, as required by Town ordinance.
Q: Where can I get more information?
A: For more information, visit www.hollyspringsnc.gov/yardwaste. An online form is available to report a concern. Or, call Holly Springs Public Works at (919) 552-5920.
