The village of Pinehurst is preparing to implement its new waste collection schedule this summer.

The village has adopted the mantra "T.R.Y. Weekly Pickup" as it moves to the important schedule change that becomes effective in July. T.R.Y. Weekly Pickup refers to trash, recycling and yard debris collection moving to once per week.

"The change to a more regularly scheduled pickup means that remembering the pickup date will no longer be an issue," said Assistant Village Manager Jeff Batton. "Budget savings will result from lowering the number of home visits from 18 per month to 12 per month. There should also be a ripple effect of aesthetic improvements in the village."

Beginning the week of July 6, residents will have household trash collection one day a week, recycling collection one day a week, and yard debris collection one daya week.This is a change from the current collection schedule.

Residents currently receiving household trash collection services on Monday and Thursday will remain on that schedule in July, except Thursday will become a recycling collection day.

Residents currently receiving household trash collection on Tuesday and Friday will remain on that schedule, with Friday switching to a recycling collection day.

As is currently the practice, all recyclable materials should be placed curbside in a recycle bin, trash bags orother receptacle.

Yard debris will be collectedeach Wednesday villagewide beginning July 8. Yard debris guidelines for size and weight will remain the same.

Residents who have been provided a trash cart for the automated collection system will be able to upsize that cart to a 96-gallon container for household trash.These larger carts will be available in late June for those who wish to make an exchange.

To request an exchange, residents are asked to contact the Public Services Department and one will be delivered as soon asone is available.

Service will also switch to once per week for each collection for residents receiving assisted pickup because of physical limitations. Those residents do not need to take any additional steps, as the village will continue to collect in the agreed upon location.

Once the new schedule goes into effect in July, holiday collection makeup days for household trash and recycling will be on Wednesdays of the week of the holiday.If a holiday falls on a Wednesday, yard debris will be collected the next working day.

The recycling yard at the Public Services Department at 600 McCaskill Road will continue to be open on weekdays. The village will add a household trash drop-off depository at this location for those residents who miss a collection day or just need to get rid of extra trash.

The changes are designed to meet an increase in recycling participation among village residents in recent years.They are expected to make waste collection more efficient while freeing streets and grounds staff to spend more time on mowing, road shoulder repair and storm water management, resulting in aesthetic improvements in all parts of the village.

The Village Council approved the schedule changes in January after the village's staff surveyed residents. Most feedback was supportive of the changes. The staff spent about a year researching the idea before the proposal was made last September.

Residents who have questions about the upcoming pickup schedule change can contact the village's Public Services Department at 295-5021 or visit the village's Web site at www.villageofpinehurst.org.

Contact John Krahnert III at 693-2473 or by e-mail at jkrahnert@thepilot.com.