CARY, NC – Yesterday, the Town of Cary became the first large Triangle community to complete an entire town-wide collection of debris from the December 4^th ice storm. Since they began on December 16^th, crews have taken over 170,000 cubic yards of vegetative debris from about 600 miles of streets in and around Cary, debris that is now being ground up into high quality mulch to be given away at an upcoming January MEGA MULCH MADNESS giveaway.

To accommodate those property owners who were unable to get their trees and limbs to the curb before the holidays, crews will begin a second pass through town on January 2^nd. Since this is the last opportunity Cary residents will have to get their storm debris removed from the curb without charge, citizens are strongly encouraged to have their debris out that day by 7 a.m. Those who are concerned they may not be able to make the January 2^nd deadline should call the Town at (919) 469-4090 no later than January 10^th to discuss their individual situations. Town officials expect the second sweep to go relatively quickly since the vast majority of debris has already been picked up.

Residents can also still take vegetative storm debris to the Citizens Convenience Center on North Dixon Avenue in downtown Cary.

Citizens are reminded to place their storm debris on the curb as opposed to the street and to avoid covering sidewalks, water meters, fire hydrants, and sewer clean-outs. There are no limitations on size—whole trees may be brought to the curb. And storm debris must be in a pile separate from leaves, Christmas trees, or other yard waste because the storm debris collection is qualifying for federal assistance.

"We understand how silly it may seem to have three different piles at the curb, but it’s very important," said Public Works Division Director Mike Bajorek. "We have to run the collections separately and adhere to strict accounting rules if Cary is to be reimbursed for the storm expenses." Bajorek added a reminder that town-wide Christmas tree collection will begin on January 13^th, and folks need to have their trees to the curb by 7 a.m. that day to ensure collection.

As is the Town of Cary’s custom, all of the storm debris will be recycled into high quality mulch and given away at no charge to anyone who wants to haul it away at the first MEGA MULCH MADNESS giveaway of the new year. MEGA MULCH MADNESS I will begin on January 17^th, running from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. until all the mulch is gone from the Town’s temporary debris site located on the west side of HWY 55, just south of the High House Road intersection, across from West Park subdivision. Town crews will load the mulch into any size truck that is brought to the site from anywhere in the nation.

###