City Modifies Quarterly Curbside Brush Collection Program

The City of Portage offers a Quarterly Curbside Brush Collection Program that provides for the collection of brush and branches during the months of January, April, July and October.  Also collected are Christmas trees in January and bagged leaves in April. 

Beginning with the July 2012 collection, the neighborhood collection zones have been modified to provide for more timely service in the heavily-populated northwest quadrant of the city.  As noted on the Quarterly Curbside Brush Collection map, the southern portion of the northwest quadrant of the city has been assigned to the second full week of the month.

Another adjustment to the program involves the length of branches.  The previous program requirements asked residents to cut brush and branches to lengths of four feet.  This program requirement has been removed – branches of any length will be collected.  In fact, the city’s brush removal contractor prefers to handle brush and branches that are a minimum of four feet in length.  Keep in mind, however,that the diameter must remain three inches or less.

Residents are reminded that a small amount of debris may remain at the curb following brush removal and property owners are asked to assist with the final cleanup.

The following items will not be collected as part of the Quarterly Curbside Brush Collection Program:

• Brush or branches generated from the removal of a tree with a trunk greater than four inches in diameter.  No part of a whole tree removal will be collected, including the brush and branches from the tree.
• Brush or branches generated from a professional tree removal service.
• Brush or branches with a diameter greater than three inches.
• Grass clippings, flowers, weeds, ornamental grasses or garden materials.
• Firewood, lumber, timber, building materials or railroad ties.
• Roots or tree stumps.
• Yew branches or vines.
• Loose or bagged leaves. (Exception:  Bagged leaves are collected as part of the April collection.)