Solid Waste is an integral part of life when nearly all-household items have an expiration date. Knowing where, when and how to get it properly stowed away saves time, money, manpower and the climate.

The City of Groves has made a few changes in the upkeep of green waste for all residents.

Green waste, also known as biological waste, is any organic waste that can be composted, such as grass clippings, leaves, tree branches, hay, etc. and up until now, the City of Groves collected it without restriction.

Groves City Manager D.E. Sosa said for years the green waste was collected, chipped and sent up north to be used in various paper and fuel plants.

“We kept it out of the waste stream as best as we could by sending it out,” he said. “But the chipper said there is no more market for the fuel, so now we don’t have the chance to pickup green waste unlimited anymore.”

Residents are now urged to keep their green waste below two cubic yards, roughly the size of what can fit into the back of a pickup truck.

“In order to handle the amount that we now have to pickup, we can no longer take unlimited amounts because we don’t have the chance to chip it,” Sosa said. “We are still looking to do something along those lines but we updated our ordinance to reflect what needs to happen right now.”

Sosa said regular trash and garbage restrictions will stay the same.

“General trash is like boxes or an old air conditioner, everything else is garbage and goes into the can,” he said. “If residents have a little green waste, like a small bag full, they can put it in their garbage can. Otherwise they are asked to leave it out.”

Sosa said he wanted to stress to anyone hiring others to cut their trees or maintain their yards, that the company or individual must have a permit and is responsible for the removal of the green waste off the property.

Solid Waste fee fines have also changed to reinforce the proper placement of trash away from drainage ditches.

“If you put your trash in a ditch and it gets blocked up, the fine can be anywhere from $300-$500,” Sosa said. “We are asking residents to please not put trash in the ditch because it can hinder the drainage.”

Sosa said he hopes the community is mindful of the all Solid Waste changes. An updated webpage with the Solid Waste rules and restriction changes is coming. For more information, visit cigrovestx.com.

Cassandra Jenkins is a news reporter at The Port Arthur News. She can be reached at cassie.jenkins@panews.com.