Yard Waste Pickup Changes Monday For City Residents

City of Bradenton residents won't have to wait as long to have their yard waste hauled away thanks to a new policy adopted recently by the city's Solid Waste Department.

Starting April 4, yard waste will be hauled away by trash collectors on Mondays and Tuesdays, the city announced, a change that came in response to suggestions from residents.

Ward 1 Councilman Gene Gallo said he's heard several complaints from residents who by and large did their yard work on the weekends but had to wait until Thursdays or Fridays to have it collected from their curbs.

"We're the 'Friendly City'; we want to be the 'Clean City,' " Gallo said.

Here is the new schedule:

• If your household garbage is picked up on Mondays and Thursdays, your yard waste collection day is Monday.
• If your household garbage is picked up on Tuesdays and Fridays, your yard waste collection day is Tuesday.

The change does not affect household garbage and recycling collection days.

Director of Public Works Claude Tankersley said his staff of nine trash collectors will adjust their schedules to accommodate two 12-hour shifts on Mondays and Tuesdays to handle the estimated 88 tons of yard waste collected annually.