Haitham A. Hijazi, Director of the Prince George’s County Department of Public Works & Transportation, turns the question back to the community. In a letter dated July 9, 2009, Hijazi announced the end of the Vacuum Leaf Collection Program in an effort to shave over $1 million from their budget.
Gone are the days of raking leaves to the curb in time for PGDPW&T vacuum collection. Many homeowners were unaware of the program’s termination.
There are a few bright spots however – the cuts may not affect homeowners too badly if they work together to maintain the beauty of the community. From Hijazi’s letter, the following alternatives are available to PG County Residents:
- 1. Bag yard waste for pick-up on regularly scheduled yard waste pick-up days through the Department of Environmental Resources.
- Weekly yard waste disposal is still available through DER. They will pick up yard waste that has been properly bagged or placed in plastic garbage cans with tightly closed lids. For more information, contact DER at (301)952-7630.
- 2. Start an eco-friendly compost.
This is definitely an alternative for gardeners and the environmentally conscious. Arrange grass/plant clippings, leaves, and twigs in measured layers in a protected area of the yard. The resulting product can be used for new indoor/outdoor plantings. For more information, consult a local nursery.
- 3. Hire a local yard service.
You may already have leaf collection contracts through your Homeowner’s Associations – contact them for more information. However, not all single-family home owners have that option, however. In this case, hiring a handyman/yard service to collect, bag and/or dispose is an option.
- 4. Enlist the help of local students/service groups.
This is a great alternative for those residents unable to collect and bag their own leaves. It’s also good for community-building. PG County students must complete 38 hours of community service in order to receive their high school diploma. Contact your local school or Scout Troop for more information.
For PG County, the answer lies in the hands of the resourceful homeowners, the industrious teens and numerous service groups, and lawn maintenance businesses. So instead ask the question: How are YOU, as an individual, family or business going to help keep PG County beautiful and clean during the upcoming season of falling leaves?
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