The original item was published from 11/19/2015 12:58:00 PM to 11/20/2015 12:00:02 AM.

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Posted on: November 17, 2015

[ARCHIVED] Take Precautions to Reduce Blowing Garbage and Recycling Containers

The National Weather Service predicts wind gusts around 60 mph are likely Wednesday and into Thursday. Bismarck Public Works Service Operations reminds residents that City Ordinance regulates the management of solid waste (household garbage) and hauling restrictions. Included are hauling restrictions and tips to help residents reduce blowing garbage and recycling containers:

Hauling Restrictions
• All loads taken to the Bismarck Landfill must be tarped or tied down.
• A person may not haul or transport garbage, rubbish or solid waste to the city's disposal grounds except in a vehicle which does not permit any garbage, rubbish or solid waste to seep, spill, leak, blow, drop off or fall to the streets, roads or highways leading to such disposal grounds. There is a $20.00 fee charged at the landfill for loads that are not tarped or not tied down.

Recycling Containers
• Put recyclables into paper bags during high wind conditions on your pickup day. If the can tips, this will help to keep recyclables from blowing down the street; the paper bag can go through the Waste Management automation sorter without creating problems. Bagging the material would be helpful and most grocery stores still provide paper bags for your items. This may be something to consider for the lighter materials like plastics.

• Place a piece of cardboard over the top of the recyclables inside your container on your pickup day to act as a barrier should the container tip over or the lid open up. If you fold the ends of the cardboard barrier down between the container walls and recyclable material, it should stay inside and yet fall out when the automated trucks pick up the can and dump it.

• Store garbage and recycling containers in your garage or a sheltered area if it isn't your pick-up day during windy conditions.

“We know residents take great pride in our community and keeping it clean and well-maintained,” said Jeff Heintz, Director, Public Works Service Operations. “We need their help when Mother Nature steps in and hands us 60 mph wind gusts.”