Community Corner

Council Approves Changes To Waste Collection, Recycling

Recyclables no longer have to be separated, ordinance says

Single-stream recycling and earlier trash pickup on code red days are two of the changes included in an ordinance passed Monday night by the Vienna Town Council.

The changes to the section of the town's code dealing with waste collection and storage was the first revision made in several years, town officials said.

The revisions include

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  • Increasing the capacity of trash cans residents are permitted to use from 31 gallons to 55 gallons
  • Adding kraft paper bags to the list of acceptable containers for grass clippings, leaves, and cold ashes, and removing from that list cardboard boxes
  • Offering residents the option of placing tree trimmings in trash cans, instead of secured in bundles, so long as they don't extend farther than   two inches above the edge of the can
  • Allowing all recycling to be placed in the same container, instead of separated

The ordinance was driven by a request to allow workers to begin picking up garbage at 6 a.m. on code red days. Starting at 6 a.m. instead of 7 a.m. will allow the town's worker to finish collections sooner, and avoid handling waste in the heat of the day, which can pose health hazards.

"It's unhealthy to be out working in the heat of the day [on those days]," Mayor Jane Seeman said.

Find out what's happening in Viennawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

No residents spoke at the Monday night public hearing for the ordinance, which will take effect in about 10 days.


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