Loose Tea

Here in the City of Ypsilanti the rules have changed for what gardening brush can be left at the curb. For yard waste, the City site now offers the following instructions:

"Yard waste consists of grass clippings, leaves, garden material and bundled or contained branches that are two (2) inches or smaller in diameter and cut in four (4) foot lengths or smaller. Place in brown compost bags or in a trash can thirty-two gallons or smaller with handles. Place approximately six (6) feet from trash. Think green – no plastic bags please."

The pick up begins March 31.

Alternately, it is possible to pick up a permit (4 per year for residents) from the Department of Public Works, weekdays, to take a load to the Recycling Center.

As it happens, I have been clearing small trees and other unfashionable debris from my yard.

For the small trees, I decided to rent a chainsaw and because of liability was only able to find Home Depot willing to rent one out. They charged $48 for 4 hours for a nice gas chainsaw.

To remove the car engine the previous owners thoughtfully left in the back yard for me, I first called 1-800-Got Junk but their starting rate was $149. I next called 1-877-LUV-JUNK and worked with the very friendly co-owner Kevin who quoted me a minimum rate of $89. No great decision of who to go with. Kevin also worked around my schedule, meeting me after 6 pm and generously picking up other rusted and plastic junk with his load.

I also had a colossal roof sized tarp that had been covered with mud, car paint, oil and debris—another precious gift from the former residents. It was surprisingly heavy, so I used my truck to pull it around to the front of the house and the excellent weekly garbage crew hauled it away.