Hurricane debris pickups set in Slidell

Slidell’s garbage and trash collector, Coastal Waste Services, along with city Public Works personnel, are nearing the end of their streets sweep of storm-related debris from hurricanes Gustav and Ike.

The final collection runs began Sept. 15 in south Slidell and are moving northward until the job is completed.

City Public Works Superintendent Dan Yeates said this special run is scheduled to be completed Friday, although it may be extended if necessary.

The items to be collected include “green debris” such as downed tree limbs and the like, and “white goods” such as refrigerators, freezers and home appliances damaged as a result of flooding, winds or lightning.

Only Coastal Waste personnel are picking up refrigerators, freezers, air-conditioners and other items that include Freon, a refrigerant containing chloroflurocarbons or CFCs, highly destructive of the ozone layer when released into the atmosphere.

Under federal law, the Freon must be removed from these goods by a licensed air-conditioner person, plumber or other technician certified to remove this substance, and sticker attesting to this removal must be affixed to the item before it can be collected.

All items for collection must be placed on the street curb.

Coastal Waste and city workers will not be pulling debris and damaged items from interior yards, carports or open garages. Coastal Waste also will continue its routine curbside pickups of yard debris.

If you have any remaining questions about what is picked up and how it should be handled, Coastal Waste Services can be reached at 781-3171.