Arlington officials are asking residents to refrain from dumping their yard waste in county parks.
The request, which is being made via neighborhood newsletters, comes after the county suspended the curbside collection of yard waste due to the pandemic. Collection crews have been strained by significant increases in residential trash and recycling collection volumes, necessitating the temporary suspension.
With no more curbside collection of twigs, lawn clippings, leaves and other organic material, some residents have apparently been illegally dumping their yard waste in local parks. But that can be harmful to the environment, the Arlington Dept. of Parks and Recreation said in a note to residents (below) to be published by local civic associations.
The parks department is instead requesting that residents bring their yard waste to designated drop off sites, request a brush pick up, or start a compost pile.
More from the parks department (some formatting has been modified by ARLnow):
As you know Arlington County has suspended the pickup of yard waste collection and bulk trash pickup due to health and safety concerns of the crews who had been doing it. While it may be tempting to dump excess yard waste in a nearby park, it is actually harmful to the environment (and illegal). Most yard waste contains non-native plants which may grow and take over, thereby decreasing support for native wildlife. Help us by being good stewards to the environment and good neighbors.
Here are options if you have excess yard waste:
1. Temporary Drop-off Yard Waste Sites
Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-noon (no appointment necessary, identification required)
- Earth Products Yard at the Trades Center (4300 29th St. S.)
- Mulch pick-up site at 26th St. N. and Yorktown Blvd.
- Pick up free paper yard waste bags weekdays at the Bozman Government Center or Earth Products Yard at the Trades Center (4300 29th St. S.)
2. Curbside pickup is still available for large-scale material (like brush and limbs). Schedule your pickup here.
3. Consider a compost/brush pile. It reduces yard and food waste!
Thank you to everyone taking these extra steps to make sure that not only our neighborhood, but our beloved parks are clean and neat.