Maplewood Spring Rake Out 4/24 - 5/17

You can find the info here:

https://www.maplewoodnj.gov/government/public-works/spring-rake-out

Materials to be picked up are limited to branches, leaves, and garden rakings when packaged as follows:

1. Branches must not be more than four feet in length and must be tied in bundles that can be handled by one person.
2. Leaves and garden rakings must be placed in reusable containers (e.g. garbage pales/buckets) or paper bags that can be handled by one person.
3. Rocks and soil are not permitted.

Containers will be left behind if unapproved materials are found in them, or if they cannot be lifted by one person.

Dagnabbit... missed this week's first rake-out. But thanks for putting this up. I put the next 2 on my calendar. I will be ready!!!

bump - in case you need it.

Why don't property owners take advantage of this free service? I was so happy to get rid of my  garden debris but no one else had anything out. If the town didn't do this people would be complaining.

I use it too - I think it is great. I had a ton of sticks come down this winter. Most people on my street put stuff out. But I've seen other streets in the same section as me that had almost nothing out. I think some people don't touch their own gardens, and rely on their landscapers to remove the spring debris. 

I have had 8 bins worth of debris picked up thus far and I have more ready for my final pick-up. 

HatsOff said:

I use it too - I think it is great. I had a ton of sticks come down this winter. Most people on my street put stuff out. But I've seen other streets in the same section as me that had almost nothing out. I think some people don't touch their own gardens, and rely on their landscapers to remove the spring debris. 

I think you are correct as to relying on their landscapers. 

I got my 2 bins out on time this week 

wendy said:

I think you are correct as to relying on their landscapers. 

An increasing number of neighbors are taking advantage of garden debris pick up services offered by WM and WI, especially if they do their own mowing or find that plants in need of pruning are flowering after the town rake-out ends.  Others have increased their composting efforts.  Some are doing both.

joan_crystal said:

wendy said:

I think you are correct as to relying on their landscapers. 

An increasing number of neighbors are taking advantage of garden debris pick up services offered by WM and WI, especially if they do their own mowing or find that plants in need of pruning are flowering after the town rake-out ends.  Others have increased their composting efforts.  Some are doing both.

Not sure why you quoted me above. I am not saying anything that relates to what you wrote. Please see what I was responding to. Thanks. 

Too short this year.
There used to be 5 pick ups for each zone. Now, there are only 3.

Cost cutting?

yahooyahoo said:

Too short this year.
There used to be 5 pick ups for each zone. Now, there are only 3.

Cost cutting?

Town claims that due to the increase in mulching and composting, less garden debris is being put out.  Therefore, they reduced the number of pick ups from 5 to 3.  Cost cutting and demands being put on DPW staff are likely part of the reason why the change was made.  

joan_crystal said:

yahooyahoo said:

Too short this year.
There used to be 5 pick ups for each zone. Now, there are only 3.

Cost cutting?

Town claims that due to the increase in mulching and composting, less garden debris is being put out.  Therefore, they reduced the number of pick ups from 5 to 3.  Cost cutting and demands being put on DPW staff are likely part of the reason why the change was made.  

I'd love to see the data, but I'll take their word for it.