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See what officials say about shifted collection schedules and how to prevent garbage fires in summer months.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Liesbeth Powers\/Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n
North Texas\u2019 extreme heat<\/a> presents a unique challenge to sanitation departments across the region: maintaining day-to-day garbage collection while protecting the safety of sanitation workers and accounting for the impact of heat on the garbage itself.\u00a0<\/p>\n Most of this work happens behind-the-scenes. Still, there are ways North Texans can ensure smooth collection through the sweltering summer months and prevent heat-induced fires.\u00a0<\/p>\n Here\u2019s what to know about how to prepare for garbage collection as Dallas-Fort Worth temperatures reach triple-digits<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Related<\/strong>: Your ultimate guide to dealing with the heat in Dallas-Fort Worth<\/a><\/p>\n Will my garbage be collected earlier in the day?\u00a0<\/p>\n Some North Texas cities have adjusted collection schedules to protect crews.\u00a0<\/p>\n In Dallas, collection crews may be out early to account for extreme afternoon temperatures, Director of Sanitation Clifton Gillespie said. Crews may also make adjustments to reduce their heat exposure while continuing service.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Grand Prairie\u2019s collection hours do not currently shift in light of heat, but crews may take longer to run routes as they incorporate heat safety precautions into their daily operations, said Eric Alvarez, marketing and communications manager for the city of Grand Prairie.\u00a0<\/p>\n To avoid the hottest part of the day, Denton\u2019s Solid Waste and Recycling department crews begin operations at 3:30 a.m. for commercial front-load trucks and 5 a.m. for roll-off operations, according to Denton\u2019s Interim Director of Marketing and Communications, Kayla Herrod.\u00a0<\/p>\n How can I prepare for garbage collection in extreme heat?\u00a0<\/p>\n Gillespie said the most important way to prepare for summer garbage collection is to ensure all garbage and recycling bins are out by 7 a.m. on collection days.\u00a0<\/p>\n While extreme heat currently does not shift operation hours in Plano, residents should also be ready for collection to begin at 7 a.m., Director of Public Works Abby Owens said.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n In the summer, it is important to properly space bins and refrain from overloading them to ensure collection can run quickly, minimizing exposure to extreme heat for crews, according to Gillespie.\u00a0<\/p>\n What items are dangerous to throw away when it\u2019s hot outside?\u00a0<\/p>\n North Texans should be particularly vigilant in the summer months to avoid throwing away items that could cause garbage fires, Herrod said. This includes coals from grills, which Harrod said should be fully extinguished and cool to the touch before they are disposed of.\u00a0<\/p>\n She also said batteries and chemicals should never be thrown in the trash, especially not in the summer.\u00a0<\/p>\n According to Gillespie, Dallas\u2019 Sanitation Services often sees an increase in prohibited items in the waste stream in summer months, including hot coals and pool chemicals.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n These items, in addition to lithium-ion batteries and household chemicals, pose a risk of fires in collection trucks and at disposal sites, Gillespie said. Household chemicals, paint, batteries and automotive fluids should be taken to the Dallas County Home Chemical Collection Center<\/a>, according to Gillespie.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n