City offers choices and services for pick-up of leaves

Along with all the beauty that comes with the autumn season in the Ozarks there also comes the raking and disposal of a whole lot of leaves that have fallen in our yards.

But before you get too frustrated at the prospect of having to rake and bag untold numbers, please consider that the City of Rolla offers a couple of alternatives to help make your leaf disposal efforts a little more convenient this fall.

The City of Rolla’s Environmental Services Department will continue to offer the pick-up of bagged leaves Dec. 18, 2009. To receive this service, the leaves must be placed in brown paper biodegradable yard waste bags, which can be purchased at a reasonable price at many stores in the area. We also ask that you place your bags to the curb by 6 a.m. so our equipment operators can pick them up on your normal collection day.

Please be aware that this service will be suspended from Dec. 18, 2009 through Feb. 26, 2010. Collection of yard waste (leaves, grass, clippings and small sticks) in brown paper bags will resume on Monday, March 1, 2010. Residents wishing to dispose of these materials during the winter suspension can use the composting facility located at the Phelps County Transfer Station, or arrange for a special pick up for a fee. For more information please call the Environmental Services Department at (573) 364-6693.

Rolla residents can also get their leaves picked up by the Parks and Recreation Department Monday through Friday for a nominal fee through Dec. 11, 2009 (leaves will not be picked up after 12-noon Friday or during weekends and holidays). We just ask that you rake or haul all leaves to the curbside along city streets.

No private driveways or private areas will be entered by City vehicles. Per City Ordinance no leaves can be placed in the streets, gutters or ditches. Leaves will be picked up by a large vacuum and deposited into a large dump body and trailer and then taken to the Phelps County Composting Site to be recycled.

New users of this service must pay a $150 refundable deposit or leave a credit card number. The fee is $50 per half-hour with the minimum charge of $50, and all fees must be paid within two weeks of the service being completed. Credit card payments (Visa, Master Card & Discover) are preferred. If you wish to use this service, or to get more information, please contact the Parks and Recreation Department at (573) 364-4278.

Rolla residents who have household hazardous waste materials such as car batteries, used oil or antifreeze, or other toxic, poisonous or flammable products may dispose of them at the City’s Household Hazardous Waste Facility. The facility is operated by the City’s Environmental Services Department at the Rolla Recycling Center located off Old St. James Road.

Use of the facility is encouraged by all Rolla residents, however, this is strictly a residential service; business and commercial waste is prohibited. We simply ask that you make an appointment by calling during normal business hours at (573) 364-6693. Deliveries will be accepted by appointment only. For a complete list of items that will be acceptable to drop off at the facility, please contact the Environmental Services Department at (573) 364-6693 or visit the City’s Website at www.rollacity.org/waste.