New rules for yard trimmings in effect

THE WOODLANDS, Texas –– New guidelines for pick-up of yard trimmings in The Woodlands are in effect and it’s time to say goodbye to plastic bags.

Waste Management, solid waste contractor for the community, will only pick up yard trimmings—leaves, grass, branches and limbs—in compostable, or biodegradable, bags; open containers or bundles.

Leaves, clippings and prunings are no longer accepted in plastic bags for curbside pick-up. Reducing fees, eliminating plastic bags saves the cost of debagging at the commercial composting facility. Savings were passed on to the Township and residents in the new solid waste contract.

Local grocery, hardware and big box stores stock two types of biodegradable bags, certified compostable “plastic-like” bags and brown paper, Kraft bags similar to paper grocery bags.

Residents may also place trimmings, weeds and small branches in a traditional garbage can or other open container. Larger branches and prunings can also be bundled with twine or string for curbside pick-up. Branches should be trimmed to 4 feet. Bags, containers and bundles should weigh no more than 40 pounds.

Two recycling centers in the area also accept yard trimmings. Debagging leaf and lawn bags on-site, Precinct 3 Collection Center at 1122 Pruitt Road is open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Operating as a self-serve site, The Woodland Recycling Center on Research Forest Drive asks residents to empty their own plastic bags. The Center is open on Wednesdays from 4 to 7 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Yard trimmings of any type should not be dumped in open space reserves or green belts, according to the Township. Dumping is a violation of Township Covenants. Piles of residential yard trimmings increase the risk of wildfire during drought and contribute to flooding by blocking drainage during heavy rain events. Puddles from poor drainage are breeding sites for mosquitoes. If tossed over the back fence, leaves, limbs and brush piles become home to nuisance wildlife, termites and carpenter ants.