STORY TOOLS

• E-mail story
• iPod friendly
• Printer friendly

Tell us about it

• What would you add to this story? Tell us what we missed.
• Do you have photos from this event? Documents we need to see? Share with us.
• Upload photos & videos
• More ways to get your stuff online and in the paper.

Related Links

• Blog: Read live blogs about Tropical Storm Fay

More Local News

• Marco Island to keep City Manager
• Bryan Milk named City of Marco Island Parks and Recreation Director
• Merchants pulling out all the stops to encourage Islanders to shop local

Share and Enjoy [?]

When it comes to cleaning up after the storm, size matters.

Residents of Marco Island are advised that all horticultural debris or yard waste related to Tropical Storm Fay must be properly prepared for collection.

The bundles must all conform to the following guidelines: Large logs, branches, and stumps need to be cut down to conform to 4-inches in diameter, no more than 4-feet in length, and bundled with heavy string or twine in bundles not weighing more than 50 pounds, according to a prepared press release by Collier County Emergency Services.

“It is very important to conform because if it’s any larger than the equipment they have on the island cannot handle it,” said Dana Souza, Marco Island parks and recreation director.

Souza has been in charge of crews removing all the debris from the roadways and city properties since Fay.

The 10-bundle per week limit will be lifted through August 29. Residents must still bundle their own yard waste, but there will be no limit on the number of bundles residents may set out through Friday.

Yard waste such as branches and palm fronds must be set out curb side on the customer’s regular yard waste collection day, which is the same day as recycling collection.

Leaves, twigs, and smaller items of landscape debris should be placed into paper sacks or personal containers. Plastic bags will not be accepted.

Items that do not conform to the rules must be removed by the property owner or landscape contractor and taken to the landfill or a recycling center.

Large logs, branches, and stumps placed in the right of way will be posted with a notice of violation. If not removed within 14 days of the posting of the violation, the property owner will be in violation of Collier County Ordinance 2005-54.

For questions or information regarding the disposal of horticultural debris or yard waste, call Collier County Public Utilities and Customer Service at 252-2380.