The city of Meridian’s garbage contractor is working to catch up after falling behind on yard debris pickup. In a Nov. 22 letter to the city, Waste Pro said it will be operating an additional debris pickup truck, working longer hours and potentially working Saturdays to make up the difference.

“We know that this time of year is rough on everyone, and that goes from the residents cleaning their yards to getting it out to the street for pickup, then to your neighborhood garbage man that services your area,” the company said in its letter. “Everyone must work together as a whole to make this time as smooth as possible from the residents to the workers.”

One of the biggest contributors to the company’s backlog is “noncompliance piles,” the company said, which are piles of debris that do not follow the rules set for pickup.

Under the city’s contract, Waste Pro will pick up tree limbs and other yard debris no longer than six feet and eight-inches in diameter once per week. The debris must be placed curbside in a separate pile free of household garbage or construction debris.

The company also provides seasonal leaf collection in Meridian from November through February, and residents can pile loose leaves near the curb to be picked up as well.

Commingled piles containing multiple types of debris and noncompliance piles will not be picked up, the company said.

Waste Pro also will not pick up waste from landscaping crews, contractors or other professional services that residents may hire to work on their properties. Meridianites who hire workers are encouraged to discuss waste removal ahead of time and make sure the contractor knows they will be responsible for disposing of any debris.

For more information about what will or won’t be collected, visit wasteprousa.com/meridian.