As spring begins, so does yard materials recycling collection for Baltimore County residents.
Starting April 1, yard materials including grass, leaves, vines, twigs, shrubbery trimmings, tree branches and limbs will be collected separately for recycling from county residents with "Y" days on their recycling schedule, according to a March 19 press release issued by the county.
The separate collections will be held April 1 through Dec. 14. Materials will be picked up separately from regular trash pickup, however, if a resident doesn't have "Y" days on their schedule their yard trimmings will be collected with trash year-round, the county said.
Bags of yard materials shouldn't be heavier than 30 pounds. Residents can set out an unlimited number of bags for pickup, but collectors may not pick all of them up on the same day. Their priority is trash pickup and they must take all residences into account on their route, the county said.
Tree branches and limbs larger than 3 inches in diameter and longer than 3 feet will not be collected, the county said. The county said they must also be tied in bundles and their weight can't exceed the 30 pound limit.
Residents are asked to put the materials in paper, which is preferable, or plastic lawn and leaf bags, not trash cans, the county said.
The yard trimmings will be composted into an organic material used by county agencies and residents, the county said.
Those looking for more information about the county's trash and recycling program, may do so at: baltimorecountymd.gov/solidwaste or call 410-887-2000.