Coconino County Public Works will reopen the Willard Springs Green Waste site a month ahead of schedule in order to give residents more time to clean up properties for wildfire season.
The site, which usually opens on the first Friday in April, will open Friday, March 7, to provide free green waste-only disposal to all Coconino County residents.
鈥淎fter one of the driest winters on record, we recognize the importance of preparing now for wildfire season,鈥� said Christopher Tressler, director of Coconino County Public Works. 鈥淲e鈥檙e opening Willard Springs a month early to give our residents more time to clean up pine needles and other green waste in order to create defensible spaces on their properties and around their homes -- which can slow the spread of wildfire.鈥�
Pine needle cleanup was one of the concerns discussed in the City of Flagstaff's reduction in bulky waste collection in early February, with Council member Miranda Sweet expressing concern that the changes might discourage pine needle cleanup.
A citywide pine needle cleanup, conducted by Flagstaff's Public Works Department and other city departments, is in consideration for the fall.
County residents will be allowed to dump acceptable green waste, such as pine needles, branches, leaves and brush, at Willard Springs free of charge with no load limits on Fridays and Saturdays through October from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The last load of green waste is accepted through the gate at 4:30 p.m. Green waste will be accepted in bags during open hours.
Willard Springs accumulated approximately 25,000 cubic yards of green waste during the 2024 season. This included green waste deposited by county residents and through specialty events such as the Bear Jaw Community Cleanup, which collected 5,000-6,500 cubic yards of green waste last spring.
The Willard Springs Green Waste Site is located about 15 miles south of Flagstaff and just west of Interstate 17 at Willard Springs Road, Exit 326. Willard Springs does not accept bulk or household waste.