The Town of Carrboro announced Thursday afternoon there will be delays in its leaf collection service until further notice due to technical issues with two out of three of its vehicles.

While pickups normally occur on a biweekly basis, the equipment issues will make this impossible.

“With the increased volume of fall leaves and fewer vehicles in service, the town will not be able to maintain that schedule,” the town’s statement read. “Crews continue to collect leaves throughout Carrboro but cannot guarantee pickup within the normal timeframe. “

The town provided a few pieces of advice for keeping roads and bike lanes clear as residents wait for pickups:

  • Do not place leaves in the street or block sidewalks, bike lanes or storm drains.
  • Consider using a roll-out cart, which can be collected by an automated side-loader refuse truck or place leaves in paper yard bag.
  • Do not use plastic bags.
  • Keep at least 1 foot between the curb and the leaf pile.
  • Loose leaves must be free of dirt, sod, rocks or concrete.

Like Chapel Hill, Carrboro is a proponent of the “leave your leaves” initiative, which encourages people to allow leaves to remain where they fall to help fertilize soil, support wildlife, and reduce flooding. Specifically, the town recommends that people either leave them, rake them under trees to create perennial beds of natural mulch, or compost them.

This is the most recent service to be interrupted in Carrboro, following a delay to trash collection services in October which were also caused by “equipment failures.” The town’s public works facility took heavy damage during Tropical Depression Chantal in July, which saw a portion of its vehicle fleet and repairs workshop totaled by the high waters.

More information about Carrboro’s leaf collection policy, including guides and requirements, can be found here.

 

Featured image via the Town of Carrboro

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