KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Update (8/28): Knox County announced that it will begin removing green waste from private property on Tuesday, Aug. 29.
Residents must call by 4:30 p.m. on Monday to request storm-related brush pickup. Calls received after the deadline will not be scheduled for pickup, county officials said.
You can read more about green waste removal below.
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Knox County is offering assistance to help county homeowners remove trees, limbs and brush from private properties in response to a recent tornado.
The contract with emergency green waste collection facilitator Phillips and Jordan will be brought before Knox County Commission at their next meeting and the service should begin shortly after and be ongoing for about two weeks.
Assistance is not being offered to properties within Knoxville city limits as similar services are provided regularly.
Green waste must fit into the bed of a standard-sized dump truck. Overly large tree sections (longer than 6 feet) will not be accepted. All green waste must be placed in on the curb or sidewalk and not on private property.
“These storms had a major impact as they passed through,” said Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs. “While we are appreciative of the immense support from the non-profit and faith-based communities, community volunteers, and friendly neighbors, we’ve gotten a lot of calls about this need and are happy to be taking steps to provide it.”
Green waste from commercial properties can not be picked up, neither can construction and building materials or demolition waste.
However, homeowners can take small amounts of this type of debris to the county’s seven convenience centers.
"We don't provide residential trash pickup. People have to take their trash to the convenience centers. So we wouldn't normally do something like this and no we haven't done anything like this before, but again just with the severity of the storm, we thought that it'd be something that people, people probably some folks it's really necessary 'cause they're not going to be able to get it picked up otherwise," said Jacobs.
The county will post a definitive timeline on its website in the coming days.
For specific inquiries or to request green waste pickup, please call Knox County Engineering and Public Works at 865-215-5800
Jacobs says if people can't afford yard clean up and or can't get the waste to the public right-of-way, they're encouraged to call the home cleanup hotline at 865-351-0552.
Volunteers from local relief organizations, community groups, and faith communities will be connected to those who call to assist with cutting fallen trees, drywall, flooring, and appliance removal, tarping roofs, and mold mitigation.