City to offer two opportunities for storm debris removal

Des Moines Public Works has announced two opportunities to clean up debris left in the wake of this week’s storms.

1. Storm debris SCRUB event 7a – 2p on Saturday, August 3. Residents will be allowed to haul storm debris to the Compost Center at 1601 Harriet St. Items accepted during this event include anything you might place in a yard waste container, branches, and tree limbs up to 24 inches in diameter and 10 feet in length. General trash, appliances, etc., will not be accepted at this event, but they can be disposed of at the next SCRUB event on August 17 at the MWA Transfer Station. Please note that there are vehicle restrictions at SCRUB days: only cars; pickups; and single axle trailers up to 12 feet in length, 6.6 feet in width, and with sides no higher than 4 feet in height will be accepted. Proof of residency will also be required, and commercial haulers will not be allowed.

2. CURBSIDE PICKUP of storm debris beginning Monday, August 5. Residents can place branches and tree limbs up to 18 inches in diameter and 10 feet in length on the curb, and city crews will pick them up. Please note that this debris should not obstruct the street, sidewalk, or any utilities. Also note that the city has emphasized they will not return to pick up debris that was not on the curb before their crews passed through the area. Therefore, Lower Beaver residents will want to have debris on the curb no later than Monday morning because our area tends to be among the first picked up on Monday!

Residents are encouraged to help each other with storm cleanup. For example, offer to help an elderly neighbor move branches to the curb or remove a broken limb from a tree.