Lincolnites must separate yard waste from trash starting on Saturday

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – It’s that time of the year again: Lincolnites must begin separating yard waste from household trash on Saturday.

City officials said Monday that people can still toss tree trimmings, garden waste and weeds in their household garbage.

But state law requires people to separate grass and leaves from their household trash between April 1 and Nov. 30.

“Lincoln residents are playing an important role in the community’s sustainability when they separate their yard waste,” said Willa DiCostanzo, waste diversion coordinator for the Lincoln Transportation and Utilities Department. “The grass and leaves in your yard waste are processed into compost, called EarthFuel. To help reduce plastic pollution in the compost we produce, residents are reminded to place leaves and grass in paper bags, not plastic. Litter, trash, dog toys or other items are not allowed in the yard waste.”

Lincolnites can discard leaves and grass in paper yard waste bags, 32-gallon containers with tight-fitting lids or 95-gallon containers provided by garbage collectors.

If garbage is found mixed in with yard waste, collectors may charge customers additional fees, the city says.

More information on composting at home can be found at lincoln.ne.gov/compost.