March 2009 City of Omaha Mike Fahey, Mayor Yardwaste Collection Begins for the 2009 Season, the Week of April 6-10. , and Yardwaste Information for the Citizens of Omaha, Nebraska Public Works Department Robert G. Stubbe, P.E., Director Environmental Quality Division Yardwaste Time One Can Leave it on the Lawn ¹¹ Reel mowers leave behind healthier Set it Out Right One Purpose As it turns out, easiest is best—leave grass plants because they “snip” the Yardwaste collection returns grass, cutting it in the same way that A trashcan labeled YW should never grass clippings on your lawn. Grass for the 2009 season on April 6, clippings don’t cause thatch, so using a pair of scissors would. (Powered be used for garbage. You must remove rotary mowers actually tear the and will continue until the week good lawn-mowing management the YW label if you need to use the grass blades.) following Thanksgiving (November trashcan for garbage. practices can lessen your work, 30-December 4). Yardwaste must make a healthier lawn, reduce the ¹ Only a yardwaste collection truck ¹ Reel mowers are virtually be prepared properly for collection water needed, and reduce the “” maintenance-free. Occasionally, the will stop for cans marked with a and is described inside this issue generated from your lawn. A brochure bearings and cutting edges may YW, so if it holds garbage it won’t of Wa s t e l i n e . The City relies on the entitled Bag no More explains this need a little lubricant and a slight be collected and will be tagged lawn-mowing program and is available adjustment. The cutters will need to public to not mix other materials with as inappropriate material by the at www.wasteline.org, and from the be sharpened every two of years. yardwaste so our , which is yardwaste truck and left to be sold under the trade name ¨, corrected and collected the following Douglas/Sarpy Cooperative Extension ¹¹ Reel mowers produce no harmful will meet our high production week. Œ Service. emissions and emit no exhaust into standards. Get Reel your face and your neighborhood’s A gas-powered lawn mower, with its air. Pet Waste Is Not Yardwaste noise and noxious fumes, can certainly ¹¹ Users get to enjoy a brisk walk and Pick up pet waste. It’s the law in take the shine off a perfect summer some resistance training. Omaha, but it also helps to keep day. A reel mower isn’t right for every our creeks and rivers clean. Do However, there is a mower that will yard. The mowers are best suited to not dispose of pet waste with your keep your lawn trimmed and still smaller yards, such as those that are yardwaste. Pet waste should be allow you to enjoy the birds and the 10,000 square feet (about one-quarter double bagged and included with your breeze—a reel mower. acre) or less. garbage. Œ A reel mower is a manual lawn mower. Unlike the reel mowers of 50 years ago, today’s reel mowers are Is Your Bin a lightweight and easy to push. Here are just a few of the great reasons to use a reel mower: Has-Been? If your becomes damaged or lost, call 444-4500 to have a replacement bin delivered at no cost. Œ PAID STANDARD OMAHA, NE PRESORTED US POSTAGE PERMIT NO. 1086 2008 Omaha Solid Waste Results

Notes about 2008 2008† Garbage Recycling Yardwaste For recycling, 2008 was a good year. Nearly every month in 2008 out- January 7,934. 50 86% 1,309.93 14% – – performed the same month in 2007 February 6,693.92 85% 1,206.88 15% – – and an additional 1,126 tons were recycled. By recycling, the citizens March 7,383.71 85% 1,328.49 15% – – of Omaha have saved the city nearly April 12,414.20 89% 1,497.94 11% – – $400,000 in landfilling expenses. May 10,072.40 60% 1,713.43 10% 5,097.84 30% Due to an excess in the amount of brown waste (leaves) at the city’s June 10,170.71 63% 1,430.02 9% 4,636.40 29% composting facility, about 4,000 tons July 10,045.48 62% 1,478.53 9% 4,626.22 29% of yardwaste was sent to the instead of the composting center. August 8,465.14 69% 1,466.61 12% 2,315.32 19% There must be equal amounts of each September 8,971.84 69% 1,477.16 11% 2,498.69 19% type of yardwaste, both brown (leaves) and green (grass) to compost October 9,111.05 65% 1,569.43 11% 3,266.15 23% Œ properly. November 7,834.31 55% 1,426.74 10% 5,015.25 35% December 8,389.34 80% 1,680.79 16% 384.56 4% Favor de llamar al 444- Total 2008 107,486.60 70% 17,585.95 12% 27,840.43 18% 5238 si tiene alguna Total 2007 99,163.58 66% 16,459.16 11% 34,175.52 23% duda sobre el sistema de Total 2006 98,985 66% 15,156 10% 35,928 24% Wa s t e l i n e colección de basura en Omaha Public Works Total 2005 98,270 65% 16,710 11% 35,391 24% Environmental Quality Division 5600 S. 10th St. Omaha. Omaha, NE 68107-3501 †Reported in Tons (2,000 pounds) Set out by 6a m Solid Waste Assistance

There is no limit to the amount of properly prepared yardwaste that can be Special collection assistance for garbage, yardwaste collected. Place yardwaste within 5-feet of your curb and leave 2-feet of space and recyclables is available to households where all between Yardwaste and Garbage containers. Yardwaste collection season residents in the home have a medical disability, or are begins the week of the first Monday in April and continues through the ¨ age 70 or older. week following Thanksgiving. It takes several weeks to get the service set up. Yes! No! ¬ To apply, call 444-5238 from 8a m to 8p m weekdays. Œ ª Grass clippings and © Plastic bags used in yardwaste leaves. collection. ª Garden waste such as © Mixtures of yardwaste and fallen apples, rotted or garbage. excess vegetables and fruit. © No saw dust, lumber or treated lumber/wood. ª Trash cans up to 32 gallons and weighing © , trash or garbage. Properly dispose of unwanted up to 45 pounds, household, lawn, garden Whole cans of dirt or sod. marked with a YW on © and automotive chemicals at both sides. © Street sweeping sand, litter or UnderTheSink. Operating hours are: ª Special yardwaste rocks. Wednesday 9:00a m –4:45p m paper bags weighing Thursday 9:00a m –6:15p m Cardboard boxes of yardwaste. up to 40 pounds. © Friday 9:00a m –4:45p m Saturday Call for an appointment ª Unlimited number of properly © Pet waste or kitty litter. prepared marked cans, paper bags 444‑sink [444‑7465]. www.underthesink.org Branches over 2 inches in or brush bundles. © There is no charge. Œ diameter. Bundles of branches and brush, ª Branches over 4 feet long. tied with string or twine. Bundles © may weigh up to 30 pounds. © Plastic twine, nylon twine or wire used to bundle brush or branches. In January, the Kellogg packaging as “the most ª Branches may be up to 2 inches in company began test marketing significant innovation in cereal diameter and 4 feet in length. © Rope of any kind. a newly designed cereal box boxes since the ‘50s.” that reduces packaging material ���������������� Although it uses less ��������������� Unbundled brush. by 8 percent, saves shelf space, ���������� © paperboard and shelf space, the and will fit better in your new boxes contain the same Yardwaste collection season cupboard. begins the week of April 6, 2009 amount of cereal. Kellogg plans and continues through the week The packaging industry to test the box for six months in following Thanksgiving. has heralded Kellogg’s new Detroit, Michigan . Œ Worth Noting

Nebraska’s largest ecological gathering Collection Missed? Call 444-5238 after 7p m * Kids’ activites - Get ideas for going green on your collection day. (including the rock wall!) at home * Animal booths - See eco-friendly vehicles Because of state and federal laws, there are limits to the types of waste you may * Live music, dancing - Learn about volunteer include in your garbage. Each household is limited to 5 properly prepared trash and cultural displays opportunities cans or clear bags of garbage per week. 2009 Sponsors Papio-Missouri NRD www. Whole Foods Yes! No! Oxide Design A mixture of garbage and The Omaha Buzz (WOWT) ª Trash cans up to 32 © Sierra Club gallons that weigh up yardwaste. As always... FREE! to 45 pounds when © Christmas trees. Saturday full. April18 Rocks, dirt and concrete. .org ª Clear plastic bags © Elmwood Park that weigh up to 30 12-6pm Dead animals. Music, food + beer garden until 8pm pounds when full. © Any liquids. ª Up to 5 containers © of garbage per week Loose pet waste or cat litter. (example 2 trash cans © Ask for ¨ at your and 3 bags). © Tires, engines or other large auto parts. favorite garden supply store ª Place within 5 feet of or buy it direct from the curb, approved alley © Bulky items (couches, chairs, production facility! or other approved stoves, etc.). location. © Dark plastic bags that you can’t ¨ is a natural see through. City of Omaha Composting Facility compost product made Note: Garbage cans © Motor oil and automotive batteries. (402) 444-6665 exclusively of grass clippings, must be removed from the 15705 Harlan Lewis Road © Cardboard boxes (empty or full) leaves and ground wood. Bellevue, NE 68123-5728 curb by 10a m the day after when not in a can or bag. www.omagro.com collection. Œ © Items outside a can or clear bag. Place Materials Out in Green Bin, Before 6a m .

All Clean Paper—To prevent litter, place in Containers—Loose in the bin a Paper Sack or Small Cardboard Box (Not in plastic bags) Bottles only (Do not use plastic bags) ª Aluminum cans & Steel (tin) cans, a ª Includes: Most all clean paper. including—empty cans, empty Things like: and dry paint cans. Please don’t flatten aluminum cans. Bottles Tip: Place the top of food cans inside Food Containers b Magazines Greeting Cards can and crimp closed. Newspaper School Paper Bottles Detergent Boxes Phonebooks ª Plastic bottles marked PETE a, Containers including: Bottles that held pop, cPackaging Paperback Junkmail cooking oil, mouthwash, shampoo or Books Wrapping Paper cleaners. Bottles Catalogues Paper Egg Food Containers Cereal Boxes Cartons ª Plastic bottles, tubs or snap top Packaging e containers marked HDPE b, ª Lay sack or box either inside bin, on including those that held milk, juice, top of bin, or next to your bin with the cleaners, or other food items. opening facing away from wind. ª Hard plastic packaging and plastic ª Corrugated cardboard. Break down bottles marked V c. This packaging flat and place under bin. For lots of is usually used to hold small boxes, fold and stuff multiple boxes electronics; must be cut open and is into one box. Set out next to recycling referred to as “blister packs.” bin. ª Plastic bottles, cups, tubs or snap top containers marked PP e, including © NO! Do not include: Any soiled paper dairy case items, many other food or these non-recyclable items: All recyclable paper containers and reusable/disposable may go into the same food storage containers. Pizza Boxes Hardbound paper sack or a small Milk Cartons Books cardboard box. Rubber Bands Newspapers don’t Styrofoam NO! Don’t recycle these plastic items, no matter what: Toys, cookie trays, motor Paper Plates need to be kept © Juice Boxes separate. Œ oil bottles, lawn chemical bottles, or hazardous chemical bottles Tissue Paper Plastic Bags © NO! Glass bottles or jars. (Glass may be taken to drop-off sites or placed in garbage) ª Use a paper bag or a small box to hold extra recyclables. © NO! Lids or plastic bottle caps of any kind. Remove and throw in garbage.

Tips for Summertime Shopping

hhh...summertime is just around the corner. packaging costs the manufacturer extra, inflates Family vacations, lounging by the pool, and the price you are paying and increases the waste Apicnics with friends. Whether you’re getting your household produces. ready for school yourself, getting someone else ready ¹¹ Choose to . Use a refillable mug, cup, or for school, or just taking care of your own summer water bottle instead of throwaway/recyclable shopping, there are things that you can do before, items. Many stores will refill your mug or cup— during, and after your shopping trip to reduce your sometimes at a slightly discounted price. waste, improve our environment, and save money, too. ¹¹ Shop to recycle. When you have a choice, select ¹¹ Organize what you already own. Do those home a product where the packaging is recyclable. organization shows on TV remind you of a drawer, Remember—the word “recyclable” on a package closet, or room in your home? Get organized so doesn’t necessarily mean that we accept the item in you can use what you have instead of buying new. our local recycling program. When you purchase electrical appliances or ¹¹ Prefer recycled content products. Products electronics, look for the Energy Star label, which ¹¹ Plan ahead and make a list. With a list, you’re guarantees you an energy-efficient product. Œ less likely to make impulse purchases. with recycled content can be found at nearly every retailer (even clothing stores), in every department. ¹¹ Shop used first. Recycled content products generally produce less Before you hit air and water than products made from the mall, check virgin materials and are the neighborhood of the same quality. garage sales or stop by thrift ¹¹ Grow your own, or stores. You can shop locally for food find clothes, and flowers. Your shoes, appliances, backyard or a Farmer’s Market can provide Quotes books, toys, Requoted games, office fresh food without the Earth is here so kind, that just tickle supplies, extra transportation or her with a hoe and she laughs with a household goods, packaging. harvest. and more. ¹¹ Buy quality first. Douglas W Jerrold, 1803–1857 ¹¹ Say “no thanks” Select durable, reusable Brittish Author and Humorist to overly products that also packaged items. reduce your waste or That excess energy use at home. Analog TV Time Extended Spring Clean Up The conversion to digital TV has disposing of your old TV. It will cost been extended to June 12, 2009. 25¢ per pound or more. To find a For six Saturdays between April 25 collected at one designated site each and June 13 Omaha residents have There are options that prevent your place that will take your old TV, visit Clean Up Saturday. the opportunity to dispose of bulky current TV from becoming obsolete, www.earth911.org and search for TV The Spring Clean Up program is a or difficult to dispose of items such as however if you do choose to replace and your zip code. joint effort of Keep Omaha Beautiful, chairs, couches, appliances and tires. your old TV, it shouldn’t go into the Inc., and the City of Omaha. Spring For more information on the Spring Clean Up is not a disposal trash! Many TVs are too big, or over Clean Up wouldn’t happen without the conversion to DTV visit www.dtv.gov, program for regular household the weight limit for collection. Besides many neighborhood organizations or call 1-888-225-5322. garbage for which collection is these limitations, televisions include that provide the volunteers to staff the provided weekly. material that can be harmful to the Information about the Digital- collection sites. environment if disposed of in the Spring Clean Up also offers the to-Analog Converter Box Spring Clean Up is open to all landfill. Coupon Program, is available at opportunity to dispose of large limbs and brush that would be difficult to Omaha residents. People that utilize When thinking about your TV www.dtv2009.gov, or by calling dispose of using the City’s weekly a Spring Clean Up site do not need purchase, remember to budget for 1-888-388-2009. Œ yardwaste collection. Each spring to be a dues paying member of the clean up site will have vouchers sponsoring organization, nor do they available that will cover the disposal have to pay any fees to use a Spring cost of tree limbs and brush at an off Clean Up site or for the limb and brush Don’t Let Your TV Become Extinct site location that Saturday. disposal vouchers. Not every Spring Clean Up site will To find a Spring Clean Up site near collect all materials. Appliances, tires you, call 444-4636 beginning after and automotive batteries will only be April 7, 2009. Œ

PlanIt

The goal of this project is to create an Environmental Element for the City of Omaha’s master plan. There are five goal areas—the Natural Environment, Urban Form and Transportation, All Full-Power Building Construction, Resource Analog Broadcasting Conservation and Community Health. Ends By June 12, 2009 Be Prepared for the Each will be studied consecutively over DTV Transition: an 18 to 24-month period. Get Ready Now. Work is currently under way 1 - Connect your analog TV to a on the Natural Environment goal digital- to-analog converter box; area, and the Environment Omaha OR team wants your input. Visit www. 2 - Buy a digital television (a TV with environmentomaha.com for more a built-in digital tuner) information. Œ OR 3 - Subscribe to a paid TV service (such as cable or TV) environment

For More Information: 1-888-CALL-FCC (Voice) 1-888-TELL-FCC (TTY) Visit: www.dtv.gov

Collection Pointers

¹ Place all materials at your collection point by 6a m . ¹ If your collection was missed, call 444-5238 after 7p m on your collection day. ¹ Leave a couple feet of space between your yardwaste, recyclables and garbage containers. ¹ Keep your garbage dry—use plastic bags or trash cans with lids. ¹ One cap full of household ammonia per garbage container will deter animals from investigating and searching for food in your garbage. ¹ Use clear trash bags. ¹ If your recycling bin becomes damaged or lost, call 444-4500.