SPEARFISH, SD – City of Spearfish Utility Services would like to remind solid waste customers that yard waste is not allowed in City-issued garbage containers.
Yard waste includes grass clippings, leaves, branches, shrubs, etc.
This policy reflects South Dakota Codified Law 34A-6-67, which is part of the State’s plan to reduce the amount of wastes in landfills. State law mandates that yard waste may not be taken to a landfill for disposal. Instead of burying yard waste in landfills, composting is the alternative, and an important way to recycle yard waste. For information on composting, visit https://denr.sd.gov/des/wm/sw/swcompost.aspx.
The City’s solid waste department and the Belle Fourche landfill are starting to see yard waste being placed in Spearfish residential and commercial garbage containers. This issue could result in higher landfill fees, causing an increase in fees to utility customers.
There is an alternative: The Spearfish Restricted Use Site (RUS) accepts all yard waste. Customers can take grass clippings and leaves to the RUS free of charge. There is a fee for branches. The RUS is located north of Spearfish off of Highway 85 on Camp Comfort Road, which is 1.5 miles north of Interstate 90’s Exit 10. The RUS hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Utility Services would also like to remind customers of the following:
- Extra garbage on the ground near their container will not be picked up unless prior arrangements have been made. Customers may request larger or multiple containers to accommodate their needs. Extra pickups and garbage container requests can be made by calling (605) 642-1325.
- Please remember to bag all trash to prevent loose garbage from blowing out of the container.
- Garbage bags that are stacked too high in/on the container are very difficult for drivers to empty. Often, stacked bags will fall off while being lifted to the truck’s waste box. If this occurs, drivers are not responsible for picking up the bags that have fallen off the container. Customers will need to refill the container with the extra bags and request an extra pickup or wait until the next regularly scheduled pickup day.
- City-issued garbage containers must be placed on the street at least 10 feet from any other large objects. This will allow enough space for drivers to safely empty the container, as well as preventing a missed pickup because the container was blocked from sight.
“We thank our customers for their cooperation, which is appreciated and necessary for solid waste collection to operate properly and efficiently,” said Public Works Director Brandy Kean.
For more information, visit https://www.cityofspearfish.com/237/Utility-Services.