Following the decision by Comal County Commissioners Court to amend their mulch and brush operations policy, the City of New Braunfels is now evaluating how this will affect its curbside green waste recycling program. Comal County Commissioners Court voted on May 15th to no longer accept green waste at the Comal County Recycling Center. Green waste includes grass clippings, weeds, and leaves, and the decision formalizes a change that has already been in place since December. The change in policy was prompted by the enormous surplus of mulch that the Comal County Recycling Center already has on hand, as well as issues with contamination, particularly from green waste bags. By eliminating those bags and other undesirable items from the process, County Commissioners are hopeful that the mulch produced at the County Recycling Center will be cleaner and more popular with residents.
“These new brush policies will not only allow for a safer brush and mulch operation,” said Comal County Engineer Robert Boyd, “but will also provide a higher quality mulch to the public. As always, mulch is loaded for free.”
Due to the change in policy, the City of New Braunfels is now taking a close look at its green waste recycling program. While the City has, in the past, encouraged the use of brown paper green waste bags to separate green waste from other brush, since late last year residents have been encouraged to put their green waste bags in their regular green trash bin. Green waste being mixed with household waste provides a direct benefit to the local community by assisting with the breakdown of waste in the landfill which then generates gas that is harvested and converted to electricity. That electricity is then fed directly into the New Braunfels Utilities grid, generating enough power for more than 3,000 homes.
Although Comal County’s new policy is now in effect, the City will continue to pick up green waste bags for the time being until New Braunfels City Council and City staff examine the issue and evaluate the future of the curbside green waste recycling program. Residents are still encouraged to continue placing their green waste inside the large brown bags and either place those bags in their green trash bins for weekly pickup or place them at the curb for pickup on their normal recycling day.
For more information about the Comal County Recycling Center, visit https://www.co.comal.tx.us/rec.htm.
For more about the City of New Braunfels garbage and recycling collection programs, visit www.newbraunfels.gov/garbage.