Nevada County, Calif. May 10, 2019 – May 4th marked the opening day of Free Residential Green Waste Disposal at six sites all weekends in May. More than 60 tons of green waste were collected, and by all accounts community participation exceeded expectations. Twenty 30-yard dumpsters were filled to 90% capacity by 1pm on the kickoff Saturday. With the help of Waste Management, these dumpsters were hauled off to make space for even more green waste collected the following day. This program is coordinated in partnership with the Fire Safe Council of Nevada County, Nevada County Office of Emergency Service, and Waste Management to help residents achieve defensible space around their homes.

Fire Safe Council Executive Director Jamie Jones, says, “We have coordinated green waste disposal sites in the past, but never to this scale at so many locations for so long. Initially, we were unsure how much use they would receive. We are thrilled to see the community taking fire safety seriously.” The Fire Safe Council’s community call to action is to end Wildfire Preparedness Month with a bang. Residents are encouraged to continue removing hazardous vegetation around their homes to make their neighborhoods and communities safer. This program runs Saturdays and Sundays from 8am-4pm for the remainder of the month.

Beyond offering the convenience of more sites and economic relief with free options, this program provides an opportunity to connect with neighbors around the important issue of community preparedness.

This program is powered through a combination of staff and dozens of volunteers. Residents interested in participating in the Free Residential Green Waste Disposal program may register to volunteer online. Volunteers help direct traffic, answer questions, screen materials for acceptable items, and track time residents spend developing defensible space around their homes. This tracking, known as “volunteer match”, ensures the continued funding for this program.

Residents interested in volunteering may register online at: http://bit.ly/GreenWasteVolunteer. Volunteer training will take place from 7:00-8:00 P.M. in the Board Chambers of the Rood Center Thursday, May 16th.

This program is designed for residential green waste only, and participants are responsible for unloading their own vehicles. Dumpsters with opening doors are available at each site for depositing green waste. Acceptable items include: biomass consisting of all tree and plant trimmings, dead plants, weeds, leaves, branches, and similar materials that could fit into a green waste cart. Please note, items with a diameter greater than 6 inches, tree stumps, root balls, and household waste will not be accepted.

Free Residential Green Waste Disposal is open to the public free of charge, 8:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M. on the following dates and locations:

All Saturdays & Sundays in May

Peardale Chicago Park Fire Station 57, 18934 Colfax Hwy, Grass Valley, CA 95712
Owl Creek, corner of Owl Creek Rd. & Jones Bar Rd, Nevada City, CA 95959
La Barr Meadows – 12270 La Barr Meadows Dr., Grass Valley, CA 95945
Lake Wildwood Campground, between the Main and North gate on Pleasant Valley Rd, Penn Valley, CA 95946
Higgins Fire Station 21 – 10106 Combie Rd Auburn, CA 95602

May 18th & 19th ONLY

Nevada county Fairgrounds, GATE 8, Brighton Street, Grass Valley, CA 95949

For information and assistance in creating defensible space for your home contact the FSCNC at 530-272-1122 or www.areyoufiresafe.com.