This is a State regulation designed to increase landfill life, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase local production of mulch and compost.

Yard waste is defined as plant material resulting from lawn maintenance and other horticultural gardening and landscaping activities. This includes grass clippings, leaves, prunings, brush, shrubs, garden material, branches, Christmas trees and tree limbs up to 4 inches in diameter. Christmas trees will be picked up through January and do not need to be bagged. All tinsel must be removed prior to pick-up.

The Town of Bethany Beach will begin picking up yard waste in January 2011. Yard waste will be collected on the 3rd Friday of each month from January through April and the 1st and 3rd Friday from May through December. Yard waste must be put in a container or biodegradable yard waste bags. These bags are available at Lowes, Home Depot , G & E Hardware or on the internet. The waste should be placed in the same location as your usual trash pickup.

Bulk pickup of loose yard waste can be scheduled for collection by calling Town Hall at 539-8011; a $40 minimum charge will apply. Storm generated yard waste will be picked up at no charge contemporaneous to the storm event.

Free bulk collection will continue to be the last two weeks in April and October.