Hurricane Irma debris in bags will not be picked up by a Federal Emergency Management Agency hauler in The Villages.
Debris removal began Friday in The Villages.
District Manager Janet Tutt said the collected debris will be burned in a pit protected by air curtains.
The debris will be burned in accordance with a permit issued by the Department of Environmental Protection.
“Plastic bags are not burnable,” Tutt said.
Therefore, debris in plastic bags will be left behind.
Paper, biodegradable bags are acceptable.
Tutt did not fault residents who eagerly removed Irma-related debris from their property.
“Residents really care about how the community looks,” she said. “We know that is what they were trying to do.”
She advised that residents who have debris in bags should take a knife to it and remove the plastic.
Tutt also advised that collection from throughout the 44 square miles of The Villages could take time.
The debris hauler, CrowderGulf, will pick up debris in marked vehicles beginning at 7 a.m. and will work until approximately 7:30 p.m. each day. When stacking debris, residents are asked to use caution to avoid any electrical boxes or water meters.
CH2M Hill will temporarily suspend pickup of yard waste.
