Beginning Monday, August 10, crews from Ceres Environmental will begin assisting the Solid Waste Department to collect yard and bulk waste, as well as to clean up illegal dump sites. Ceres will collect bulk items (like big limbs, appliances, and furniture), while the Solid Waste Department will pick up what it normally collects. For the next four weeks, the special collection fee will be waived, and all piles (except building/construction material and trees) will be collected.

Collections by the Solid Waste Department will run on the normal schedule, which can be found by visiting http://sw.maconbibb.us. Ceres Environmental will collect larger piles and bulk waste on opposite weeks from the department.

“People need to separate their piles of debris and let them sit on the curb until we can get to them. We’re going to get to it all over the next month or so,” says Solid Waste Director Pat Raines. “We know this has been an inconvenience for people and want to thank them for their understanding as we took care of our crews.”

Yard and bulk waste collections was temporarily suspended due to a severe staffing shortage, and it resumed at the end of July. If a person has a pile of yard waste that has not been collected in the past few weeks, please report it using SeeClickFix online (www.maconbibb.us/seeclickfix) or the free mobile app, or by calling the Solid Waste Department at 478-804-0499.

For an update listed of modified services and office hours, visit www.maconbibb.us/covid19.

Macon-Bibb and public health officials have asked people to help protect Middle Georgia by slowing the spread of COVID-19 by following ALL guidelines from the CDC guidelines, including:

• Wearing a cloth face covering over your nose and mouth, when practical;
• Monitor your health daily and get tested if you show symptoms or believe you’ve come in contact with someone who has tested positive;
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds;
• Avoid close contact with people, meaning at least six feet away;
• Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze; and
• Clean and disinfect surfaces.

While this cessation of services was not planned, Macon-Bibb has taken multiple steps to modify its services and access – and asked the public to take steps – to protect the health of the entire community. This includes:

• Masks are strongly encouraged for employees and citizens for entry into County buildings;
• Government buildings are closed to public walk-ins, and all meetings should be held by appointment;
• Outdoor work crews will be limited to the smallest number of people and masks should be worn during shifts;
• Park pavilions, sports fields, basketball courts, and playgrounds will be closed;
• Reservations for facilities will be cancelled on a month-by-month basis beginning July 26;
• Open spaces – including trails and parks – will remain open since people can be socially distant;
• Departments and offices will implement telework and staggered schedules;
• Plexiglass barriers being installed at desks for people that interact with the public;
• Ending the issuance of new Special Event permits;
• Employees traveling home from areas with severe outbreaks will stay home; and
• Increasing cleaning of public park bathrooms.

Visit CDC.gov for more safety guidelines regarding COVID-19.