Residents adapt to end of sheet collection in Greensboro

GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP) – When the leaves start to fall, the work of cleaning them up begins.

In Greensboro, instead of raking leaves to the curb and collecting them, you will now have to use city yard waste containers or biodegradable paper bags to collect leaves.

City leaders say the new system works well, is safer and more efficient for their team and has not yet caused any major problems. But homeowners remain skeptical about the changes and question whether they can cope with the huge load of leaves falling across the city.

Signs of falls are visible on the grass, along driveways and on the road.

“The new trash can… has filled it two or three times already,” said Tony Rogers, who lives in Greensboro.

He’s worried about where all the leaves will go this year.

“Greensboro is full of huge trees, and I have a feeling a lot of them are going to end up on the streets, which is dangerous,” Rogers said.

He is not alone. Rich Cook feels the same way. He is the owner of Big Star. It was a pressure washing company that has now turned into a leaf collection business.

“Last winter I was riding my bike, I hit some leaves and almost fell. I was telling my girlfriend about it and that’s when she suggested I start collecting leaves,” Cook said.

He bought two old Greensboro cars at an auction.

“Ideally, people will put them on the curb…The leaves won’t sit there for a month and a half waiting for the leaves to be collected. I set a date and that’s when I’ll be there,” Cook said.

Trucks will likely run seven days a week to meet demand.

“It’s really been growing more and more over the last week and a half,” Cook said.

He has hired several new employees and has about 60 clients.

“Most of my clients are probably between 40 and 60 years old. Professionals who work long hours with seniors who simply cannot take care of their vacations,” Cook said.

His main concern is what will happen if people leave their leaves alone.

“This is a serious safety issue,” Cook said.

He wants the roads to be clean and safe.

“Whether it’s profitable or not, I think it’s a good decision because it’s about safety,” Cook said.

Leaf season officially begins in the city of Greensboro on Friday, which means you can put 15 items on the sidewalk each week: paper bags or bundles of sticks, in addition to a 95-gallon cart.

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