10,000 Signed Up for Chattanooga Recycling

More than 10,000 Chattanooga residents have registered for biweekly recycling since the City program’s registration launch in June of this year.

“Biweekly curbside recycling coupled with the new routing technology has resulted in an increase in not only participation but in efficiency,” said Mayor Ron Littlefield. “At once we are able to offer our citizens enhanced services while improving efficiency and saving costs. Our impact on the environment has been reduced by developing systematic routes for collection.”

Citizens must register to join biweekly curbside collection, and may do so by visiting www.recycleright.org or by calling (423) 643-JOIN. Biweekly pickup for recycling began Sept. 2009. Over 317 tons of clean recyclables were collected in Sept. and Oct., up from the 291 tons collected last year during the same months.

“Brush on Demand,” which began July 1, 2009, has seen more than 15,600 requests since it began. Utilizing Brush on Demand is another way to recycle in Chattanooga. All brush collected is taken to the wood recycling center and recycled into mulch, which is free to citizens of Chattanooga. Citizens should call 3-1-1 for information about getting free mulch.

Public Works crews are routed daily to collection locations by request. This service allows citizens to report their brush piles to 3-1-1 for collection as opposed to awaiting their pickup week.

“Most citizens get next-day pickup, which is much more convenient than waiting for a collection date,” said Liz Henley, 3-1-1 call center coordinator. “With quicker collection, very little wait and the availability of brush collection more than once a month, we have received very positive feedback from callers.”

Citizens must report brush to be collected as assigned routes are calculated based upon tonnage, gas and truckloads. Brush must be separate from other items and at least 3-feet away from other stationary objects, on-street parking areas, drainage clean outs, and as near as practical to the roadway in front of the premises without blocking the roadway, sidewalk or drainage ditch.

Brush collection includes only wood waste generated by the individual home or property occupant from a residential property. Wood waste or shrub trimmings placed for city collection may not be larger than 6-feet in length and 6-inches in diameter. Residential property owners or residents must dispose of brush in excess of these dimensions at their own expense.

No pile of brush or branches placed for city collection shall exceed 96 cubic feet (4 ft. wide, 4 ft. height and 6 ft. length), and may only be assembled at one location. Piles must not have other garbage, refuse or rubbish intermixed with it or stacked upon it.

Small amounts of leaves, grass clippings, or other rubbish less than 2 ft. wide by 2 ft. long shall be bagged and placed in a garbage container for disposal.

Brush collection crews will not collect items other than yard waste.

For more information about recycling in Chattanooga, please visit www.recycleright.org or call 643-JOIN. For more information about citywide services, please call 3-1-1 or visit www.chattanooga.gov.