Clear Communication at Yard Waste and Organics Recycling (Compost) Sites

“What we’ve got here is failure to communicate…”

That iconic line from the movie “Cool Hand Luke” can be the root of frustration for both the workers and the residents dropping off materials at municipal yard waste and organics recycling sites. Clearly communicating the site’s rules and regulations on both the city’s website and on signage displayed at the compost site can:

• Reduce frustration for citizens who were unaware of restrictions.
• Reduce time and resources spent removing unauthorized materials.
• Reduce confrontations between city employees and the residents.
• Provide a more enjoyable/hassle-free experience for the workers and visitors.

COVID-19 pandemic safety considerations

While operating during the COVID-19 pandemic the city should make the public aware of the following procedures that will be required for the safety of the workers and the public.
Visitors to the site should:

• Practice social distancing and stay at least six feet away from others at compost sites.
• Plan for extra time as social distancing measures may restrict the number of people who can safely unload at one time and may create delays during peak hours.
• Stay in vehicles until they reach the unloading site and it is their turn to unload.
• Stay in designated areas and avoid the six-foot restricted areas painted on pavement at dump area (if applicable and more than one party is allowed to unload at a time).

Resident FAQS for yard waste sites

Q.  Is this compost site for me?  When are you open?

Let the residents know in advance:

• What identification is required to use compost site.
• Your operating hours and seasonal fluctuations to hours.
• Whether commercial use is allowed or not.

Q. What can I drop off?

Clearly communicate the acceptable versus unacceptable materials. Make sure unloading sites are clearly marked with what item is accepted and where. Acceptable materials will vary from city to city, but once you determine your policy clearly communicate:
How items are sorted.

• What is accepted.
• What is prohibited.
• What fees will be charged broken down by material and quantity.
  
  For example, some cities may have the following policy on accepted and prohibited items:

Acceptable Materials	Unacceptable Materials
Spring and fall lawn rakings and thatch	Grass clippings, lumber, sod, and soil
Leaves	Stumps
Soft, vegetative garden waste	Christmas trees
Tree waste	Retaining wall blocks, lumber, rocks, and dirt

Q. What else do I need to know?

Post any additional yard waste site policies on both the website and at the site. For example:

• Paper leaf bags need to be hauled away by visitor.
• No plastic bags may be left on site.
• No yard waste may be left outside facility.
• No chain saws or wood splitters may be used on site.

Q. But why?

Knowing the reasoning behind why items are prohibited, or some restriction are in place can reduce complaints from yard waste site visitors. To ease frustration for users, post why these policies are in place. For instance:

• During early spring and late fall, the amount of available daylight is decreased, especially when daylight saving time ends in early November. The site closes earlier during those seasons for the safety of residents who may be backing up vehicles and trailers in the dark.
• Dirt, rocks, and lumber can cause damage to equipment.
• Compost site size limitations does not allow for the accommodation of grass clippings.

Provide solutions when possible for alternative disposal options for restricted materials. Suggestions may include:

• Contract your waste hauler to see if Christmas trees can be collected at curbside.
• Contact forestry staff at (###) ###-#### about diseased tree disposal.
• Grass clippings can be disposed of at ….

Q. How do I contact you? Where are you located?

Your website should provide the visitor contact information including:

• Site names
• Addresses
• Phone numbers
• Map graphics

Keeping your yard waste site secure

In addition to improved communication, here are a few measures your city might consider that could deter after-hours dumping and unauthorized site access:

• Install a gated entrance to compost site.
• Fence in the compost site.
• Only open during staffed hours.
• Operate security cameras at the compost site.

In summary

Clearly communicating the city yard waste and organics recycling site’s scope of operations, policies, and restrictions will set accurate expectations, reduce confusion, avoid confrontations, and provide a more enjoyable experience for all. 


Submitted by: Joe Gehrts, Senior Loss Control Consultant