North Whitehall Township Says Burning Leaves, Yard Waste Not Okay

North Whitehall Township Manager Jeff Bartlett told the audience on Monday that residents should let the township know if someone is burning leaves or yard waste.

It's been two years since the no burning law went into effect but Bartlett said there are still people in the community who don't realize it. He said the Department of Environmental Protection requires the township to collect yard waste and leaves.

Bartlett reminded residents that the free Fall Leaf Collection Program starts at 7 a.m. Monday, Oct. 15 and continues through Dec. 7, as long as the volume of leaves warrants the service.

The following will not be collected by the township:

• grass clippings

• twigs

• branches

• stumps or logs

• ground

• roots from trees/large plants

• garbage

The Township asks residents to have all leaves raked and out by 7 a.m. on Oct. 15 to ensure pickup. They recommend the following:

• All residents in the Township should rake their leaves into a long row along the edge of the road.

• Do not place any type of heavy object (pieces of wood, steel, rocks, or concrete) on top of your piles to weigh them down. These objects will cause extensive damage to collection equipment, which in turn will stop the process and cost extra taxpayer dollars.

• Do not place leaves in plastic bags or other containers.

• Crews will not collect any other type of yard waste from property, nor will they empty bags or containers.

• To facilitate the collection, please keep all vehicles away from the area where the leaves are piled. The crews will not rake piles out from under the car or between any parked cars.