Free Community Green Waste Drop-Off Events Return to Nevada County

Nevada County- This spring Nevada County residents will once again be able to take advantage of free  Community Green Waste Drop-off Events at the McCourtney Road Transfer Station.

Nevada County Office of Emergency Services (OES), Nevada County Public Works, CAL FIRE, Waste Management of Nevada County, City of Grass Valley, City of Nevada City, and Nevada County Consolidated Fire District have partnered to offer these important opportunities for residents to reduce hazardous vegetation in western Nevada County.

“Free green waste drop-off events represent a collaborative commitment to meet our community where they are at to support county-wide wildfire resilience. Each spring our residents are out in force, creating defensible space around their homes and removing hazardous vegetation from along evacuation routes. These events are a key piece of the puzzle because they provide an option for folks to get rid of that biomass at no cost,” said Alex Keeble- Toll, Interim Director of Emergency Services

In addition to Green Waste Programming, this year the Office of Emergency Services in partnership with PG&E has launched the Biomass Pilot Project which has removed approximately 5,200 tons of biomass that was converted into biochar. This project is part of the ongoing commitment to remove hazardous vegetation from Nevada County.

Free Green Waste Drop-Off Events

WHAT: Free Green Waste drop off days for Nevada County residents. This is an opportunity for residents to dispose of landscape trimmings including trimmed branches, leaves, grass clippings, shrubs, untreated wood, and flowers. Material should not exceed 4 feet in length and should be no more than 18 inches in diameter.

WHERE: Waste Management of Nevada County, McCourtney Road Transfer Station, 14741 Wolf Mountain Road, Grass Valley.

WHEN: April 28, May 5, May 12, May 19, and May 26 (Memorial Day) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

PLEASE NOTE: No food waste, dirt, rock, sod, palm fronds, blackberry, poison oak, stumps, scotch broom, concrete, asphalt, plastic bags, animal waste, palm tree branches, yucca plants, ice plants (succulents), cactus, painted wood, treated wood (including railroad ties and utility poles), construction debris, and any metal fencing, wire, or metal materials. All participants must provide a valid ID with an address within Nevada County or proof of residency. All commercial vehicles are prohibited and licensed landscape vehicles are limited to 1 trip per day and single axle trailers.

OES is offering free green waste bin deliveries to Firewise Communities. To arrange a bin delivery, Firewise Communities should contact Ricky Martinez for additional details.

“The recent tragic losses in Los Angeles due to extreme wildfire behavior serves as a constant reminder how important home hardening and defensible space are to saving lives and property. It’s up to all of us to take advantage of these free green waste disposal opportunities and help make a more resilient Nevada County,” said Ricky Martinez, Defensible Space Supervisor.

About the Nevada County Office of Emergency Services (OES)

OES works under the Emergency Preparedness Board Objective, leading the community in all hazards planning, preparedness, response, and recovery with a focus on wildfire. OES focuses on improving county-wide evacuation routes and safety, continuing to strengthen early alert and critical communication systems, and working with residents and community partners in emergency preparedness, defensible space, home hardening, green waste disposal, and fire- safe land stewardship. We are all in this together.

Learn more about OES at: ReadyNevadaCounty.org.