Yard Waste Proposal

This Resolution was passed by the DPNA board on Jan. 13, 2005.

Resolved: The Duke Park Neighborhood Association Board formally requests that the City of Durham re-examine its policies on the collection of yard waste within the city limits. This re-examination should include a review of the purpose of collecting yard waste, the methods of collecting yard waste, and the distribution of the costs of collecting yard waste. Thorough examination of the practices of other municipalities, including cost structures and collection practices should also be included. A working committee comprised of relevant city employees, department heads, and representatives of community organizations should conduct this review, and be charged with making specific recommendations to City Council as to how this policy should be rewritten.

The City of Durham has gradually, over the past few years, increased the out of pocket costs to its citizens of participating in the yard waste collection program by requiring the purchase of a specified yard waste cart, instituting an annual fee to register the required cart, increasing that annual fee by 20% in the current fiscal year, reducing the amount of yard waste that will be picked up with the payment of these required fees, and charging additional fees for the removal of normal amounts of yard waste. The result of these policies has been a continued decline in participation in the yard waste program among Durham citizens. According to figures published in the Durham Herald-Sun on 20 December 2004, approximately 13,000 Durham households are currently participating in the program, down significantly from approximately 18,000 in the previous fiscal year, and down dramatically from the period before annual fees were instituted. The revenue generated by current levels of participation is lower than that generated in recent years, despite the increase in fees.

A search of the internet for the published yard waste collection policies of other North Carolina munipcalities shows Durham is currently in the minority in both the restrictions on yard waste and the fees charged for picking such waste up. Although we applaud the city's efforts to encourage citizens to reuse as much of this material as possible, we urge the city to recognize that it's efforts are counterproductive. As fewer citizens participate in the program, more yard waste is is either dumped illegally or simply pushed out onto the city streets. The results are increased pollution in our creeks and streams, unsightly streets, and blocked storm drains, creating esthetic, health, and safety problems for all residents.