Residents are encouraged to start staging green waste now to take full advantage of a shorter schedule.

Nevada County, April 13, 2021 — Once again, the Nevada County Office of Emergency Services is pleased to announce the return of the free green waste drop-off and mulch pick-up program. Details were shared today when County Supervisors voted to approve a contract with the Fire Safe Council of Nevada County to manage this year’s program. Fewer grant dollars, as a result of challenges presented by the pandemic, means a shorter schedule, so residents are encouraged to get to work now to make the most of the popular program. “Now is the time to fully engage with the ‘Ready’ portion of the ‘Ready, Set, Go!’ preparedness strategy. This means using every opportunity and tool available to create defensible space from safe burn piles, the transfer station, the Fire Safe Council’s chipping program, curbside pickup or renting large green waste dumpsters, and even natures tractors, goats,” says Nevada County Office of Emergency Services Program Manager, Paul Cummings. “The 2021 Ready, Set, Go! Handbook will start hitting mailboxes in early May, but wildfire preparedness really does need to be a year-round effort,” he adds.

“Year one we hauled away over 500 tons of green waste in a few weekends. Last year, even while we were still figuring out the impacts of the pandemic, we collected more than 5,000 tons. This year we expect to be just as safe and successful with the support of key partnerships,” says Fire Safe Council Executive Director, Jamie Jones.

In Eastern Nevada County, Truckee Fire Protection District has committed to donating personnel and equipment to load and compact green waste each day, while Tahoe Truckee Sierra Disposal will pick up full dumpsters and return them empty. Truckee Fire Protection District Chief Seline says “Our staff were out last year for each of the events and had a chance to talk to folks who were sincerely grateful this program was taking place. We are already seeing low humidity levels and predictions for a long, dry fire season. I hope folks take full advantage of this free service.”

Town of Truckee is also partnering to offer financial support for free drop-off days. “This effort fits squarely in line with our Keep Truckee Green sustainability, solid waste, and resiliency program. Events like this help facilitate land stewardship through defensible space development and understory thinning, two tools that will help us build resiliency to wildfire, which has become a reality with climate change,” says Erica Mertens, Administrative Analyst for the Town of Truckee.

Safety measures will be implemented to mitigate the spread of coronavirus and participants should be prepared to comply with all guidelines. Additional details may be found at ReadyNevadaCounty.org/greenwaste. 

Western Nevada County Free Residential Green Waste Disposal
May 21-24 & June 11-14, 2021
Friday–Monday │7:00am-3:00pm,
12625 Brunswick Rd, Grass Valley, CA 

Western Nevada County Free Mulch Pick Up 
May 28-29 & June 18-19
Friday & Saturday │ 8:00am-3:00pm,
12625 Brunswick Rd, Grass Valley, CA 

Eastern Nevada County Free Residential Green Waste Disposal
May 14, June 4, & June 25
Fridays │8:00am-2:00pm
Truckee Rodeo Grounds
10695 Brockway Rd, Truckee, CA 96161

Accepted items: residential green waste, biomass consisting of all tree and plant trimmings, weeds, leaves, branches, and items less than six inches in diameter.

Prohibited items: commercial green waste, Scotch broom, poison oak, blackberry, items with a diameter greater than six inches, tree stumps, root balls, treated wood, household waste, or trash.

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