For the sixth year in a row, the City of Yakima Refuse Division is giving away free biodegradable bags to Yakima residents as part of its Fall Leaf Collection Program.
The City’s Refuse Division is giving away bags at the Public Works Complex located at 2301 Fruitvale Boulevard from now until supplies run out. Bags can be picked up Monday through Friday between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm.
The Refuse Division has about 40,000 biodegradable bags to give away. When picking up bags at the Public Works Complex, residents will be asked to fill out a form indicating how many bags they have requested and at what address they should be picked up.
“Most people really only need between 5 to 10 bags,” said Refuse & Recycling Manager Loretta Zammarchi. “We want people to only take as many bags as they really will need so we can get them to as many households as possible.”
Zammarchi encourages residents who have Yakima Refuse yard waste bins to use the bins to dispose of leaves and other yard debris rather than using the biodegradable bags to do so. She also suggests that rather than sending leaves to the landfill, they be used for mulch and compost.
Refuse Division crews will begin picking up the biodegradable bags filled with leaves on November 4th. Crews will be rotating between four designated areas within the city picking up bagged leaves until January 10th. Area 1 includes parts of the city that are primarily located west of 56th Avenue. Area 2 is made up of the section of Yakima between 32nd Avenue and 56th Avenue. Area 3 consists of neighborhoods between 6th Avenue and 32nd Avenue. Area 4 covers the section of Yakima from 6th Avenue east to the city limits. A map of the four areas, along with pickup schedules, can be found on the City website – https://www.yakimawa.gov/services/refuse/leaf-bags/
Only biodegradable bags distributed by the City will be picked up this year as part of the free Fall Leaf Collection Program. All other bags, including plastic or paper bags, need to be disposed of separately.
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Fall Leaf Collection Program – News Release
Contact:
Refuse & Recycling Manager Loretta Zammarchi – 576-6421
Communications & Public Affairs Director Randy Beehler – 901-1142