Louisville yard waste collection to resume after COVID-related pause. Here's what to know

Billy Kobin, Louisville Courier Journal
·2 min read

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Attention Louisville residents: Yard waste collection will resume in February following a pause due to COVID-related staffing shortages, Metro Public Works announced Wednesday.

Yard waste pickups will restart Feb. 14 but, similar to recycling in Louisville, will follow an every-other-week schedule through the winter, with a weekly yard waste collection schedule then starting March 14, according to Metro Public Works.

"The Solid Waste Management department appreciates everyone's patience as yard waste collection was temporarily suspended in the Urban Services District," Metro Public Works said in a Wednesday announcement.

Chris Mack done at Louisville: Head coach says 'I ain't bitter at all'

In the meantime, residents can continue to drop off yard waste at the free Christmas tree drop-off locations around the city, which will remain open until Feb. 12.

The following Christmas tree drop-off sites are open Tuesday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the Waste Reduction Center closing at 3 p.m. on Saturdays):

  • East District Recycling Center, 595 N. Hubbards Lane

  • Public Works Yard, 10500 Lower River Road (enter from Bethany Lane)

  • Waste Reduction Center, 636 Meriwether Avenue

The department had paused the collection of yard waste starting Jan. 3 because of what Metro Public Works called "a drastic staffing shortage due to the COVID-19 surge."

Metro Public Works spokeswoman Sal Melendez previously told The Courier Journal that as of Jan. 5, more than 13% of the department's 450 employees — about 60 workers — were "out to COVID-related reasons," with the majority working in the Solid Waste Management Services division.

By Tuesday, Melendez said 28 personnel, or about 6% of Metro Public Works staff, were out due to COVID-19 cases or possible exposure.

Reach Billy Kobin at bkobin@courierjournal.com.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville yard waste collection to resume Feb. 14 after COVID pause