What's New
Yardwaste Collection
Monday, December 22nd will be the last day of separate yard trimmings collection for the 2008 calendar year. The city-wide curbside collection service has diverted over 10,700 tons of grass and leaves from the landfill this year! These materials are converted into compost for beneficial use by our citizens and city landscaping needs. Yard waste collection will resume Monday, March 2, 2009. During the interim, yard waste will be picked up with your regular household trash.
Christmas “Tree-Cycling”
After Christmas, please place your live-cut tree at the curb or alley for collection on one of the following days. The trees will be used for wildlife habitat. Please remove all artificial items including tinsel, lights, and tree stand, and have your tree set out by 6:00 a.m.
Collection Days
- Monday, January 5
- Monday, January 12
City Events Focus on Energy Efficiency and Conservation
During the month of October the City’s Waste Reduction and Recycling Division hosted four educational events to inform residents and businesses how they can save money, energy and the environment.
Lawrence’s first Sustainable Business Tour on Saturday, October 11th offered participants a close look at renewable energy systems, energy efficient construction and alternative/sustainable building techniques inside four local businesses: Zarco Earth Friendly Fuels, Bowersock Mills and Power Company, The Castle Tea Room and The Community Mercantile. See attached report. PDF 174K | Requires Acrobat Reader
On Wednesday, October 15th, Our Energy Future: How Kansas Can Lead, a presentation at the Lawrence Arts Center by Nancy Jackson, the Executive Director of the Climate and Energy Project, a project of The Land Institute, informed attendees about Kansas energy efficiency and conservation efforts. Also the City of Lawrence Mayor Mike Dever shared an update on the efforts of the city’s Climate Protection Task Force. See attached report. PDF 159K | Requires Acrobat Reader
The 8th Annual Lawrence Energy Conservation Fair took place at Free State High School on Sunday, October 19th. The Energy Fair hosted thirty-five exhibitors with professional environmental expertise: including local builders, architects, engineers, insulation contractors, and home energy efficiency specialists. In addition to these exhibitors, a line-up of guest speakers gave presentations throughout the day, which provided attendees more specific information on a variety of topics. See attached report. PDF 331K | Requires Acrobat Reader
On Sunday, October 19th the Lawrence Sustainable Homes Tour showcased homes and buildings using solar energy, energy efficient construction, and other sustainable technologies to reduce their monthly utility bills. The tour offered a first-hand look at earth-friendly building technologies. See attached report. PDF 166K | Requires Acrobat Reader
Home Depot Offers Recycling for Compact Fluorescent Bulbs
Click the heading to read more.
2008 Imagination & Place Environmental Award Winners Announced
Recipients of the 2008 Imagination & Place Environmental award, in the category of outstanding volunteer or volunteer group, were Lawrence-based Friends of Hidden Valley, Cans for the Community, Friends of the Kaw, Schwegler Elementary School PTA, and Marie Stockett. The awards were presented during a ceremony at the Lawrence Arts Center on Earth Day, Tuesday, April 22. Each of the five winners received framed watercolor awards by Lawrence artist Lisa Grossman.Compost Bins Available to Lawrence Residents!
Would you like to turn your excess yard "waste" into beneficial compost right in your
own back yard? The City is offering discounted bins to help you do just that.
And by backyard composting, the number of cans, carts, or compostable bags needed on
Monday morning will be reduced or eliminated.
Click here for more information.
2008 Earth Day Celebration and Parade a Success!
There were an estimated 1,000 attendees at this year's event, making it the largest Earth Day Celebration in Lawrence. Click below to see pictures and a summary of the event.
Earth Day 2008 Report
PDF 717KB | Requires Acrobat Reader
Lawrence Joins EPA in Signing Green Power Partnership
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently recognized the city of Lawrence for its efforts in reducing the risk of climate change through the EPA's Green Power Partnership Program. The partnership encourages individuals, businesses and organizations to buy "green" power, reducing the negative environmental impacts associated with conventional electricity production.
The Green Power Partnership is part of a multi-year process, and adds to the city's initiative in climate protection. During the term of Mayor Boog Highberger, the mayor signed the United States Mayor's Climate Protection Agreement and the adoption of a Cool Cities Campaign. Current Mayor Sue Hack recently launched the City's Green Power Community Campaign, which encourages the purchase of green power by individuals, companies and organizations. Once 2 percent of all electricity used city-wide is offset through the purchase of renewable energy certificates, Lawrence will receive EPA recognition as a Green Power Community. Citizens are encouraged to learn more about the benefits of green power by visiting the EPA web site, www.epa.gov/grennpower.
Play the new "What's In Your Trash?" Game!
What's In Your Trash? This is a question the Solid Waste Division researches frequently in order to divert the most amount of waste from the landfill (through recycling and composting) in the most cost effective manner to you - our community! Click on this game and test your perception of how much municipal solid waste ("trash") we generate, what the facts state, and what the City is doing about it. Enjoy the game!
City Employees "Caught" Recycling
In participation with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment's "Get Caught Recycling" program, the City of Lawrence has caught some of its employees in the act of recycling. Click to visit our "get caught" page.
Articles of Interest
2007 Lawrence Recycling Report
Cooperative efforts by the city’s Solid Waste Division, University of Kansas, Wal-Mart, 12th & Haskell Bargain Center and other private recycling efforts resulted in the recycling of 30,314 tons of materials. This represents a 35% recycling rate, which is believed to be the highest in Kansas and is higher than the national average (last listed by EPA as 32%).
View or print the 2007 Recycling Annual Report below.
Recycling Annual Report for 2007
PDF 153K | Requires Acrobat Reader
2004 Report: Evaluation Of Waste Diversion Strategies For Lawrence- Special Focus On Curbside Collection Of Recyclables
Description: Periodically the Solid Waste Division evaluates the potential for increased recycling and waste reduction within the City of Lawrence, including the feasibility of establishing curbside collection of recyclables. Read More
