Share on Social Media

Debris waits to be picked up outside of a home on Fire Island, N.Y., after Hurricane Sandy. Photo courtesy of FEMA.

Emergency managers should work with their public information officers (PIOs), local leaders, local department of environmental services and local solid waste removal providers to develop a public communications plan for debris removal. Use these tips to develop pre-scripted messages and expedite the residential debris removal process after a disaster.

Be proactive about debris removal information management.

• Place an emphasis on actions the public can take to expedite the cleanup process. Timely removal of debris from resident’s front yards can signal that positive restorations are underway. Actions residents can take to expedite the process can include:
  • Separate burnable and non-burnable debris
  • Segregating household hazardous waste (HHW)
  • Place debris at the curbside
  • Keep debris piles away from fire hydrants, valves, etc.
  • Report locations of illegal dump sites or incidents of illegal dumping
  • Segregate recyclable materials — vegetative debris, building materials, appliances, hazardous materials, etc.
  • Empty all refrigerators and freezers and remove the doors
  • Don’t separate recyclable waste in plastic garbage bags

Develop debris removal messaging and infographics pre-incident.

• Have pre-written public information notices that outline the debris removal process for residents – how they should separate material, what material can be picked up, where and when they should put it out.
• Infographics are also a useful tool for displaying this information in a visual, easy-to-read and engaging format.
• Make sure to include contact information for debris management questions on all messages distributed to the public.

Emergency managers can provide this or a similar infographic on debris removal to residents. Published with permission of the Tuscaloosa News.

Implement and distribute a debris removal schedule.

• Work with your PIO to keep the public informed on when their debris will be picked up. Use social media and local news outlets to notify residents of the schedule and keep them updated on any changes or delays.
• Don’t forget to keep residents updated on the locations and timeline for public debris drop-off.
• Keep residents up-to-date on when regular garbage collection will resume, and how they should manage regular household trash, recycling and yard waste during this phase of recovery.
• Be honest and set clear expectations about the debris removal timeline; if you’re unsure of when debris in certain areas will be picked up, provide residents with a range of times or let them know the timeline is still pending.

Be prepared for frequently asked questions. Consider making an FAQ post on social media or distributing flyers to answer common questions. FAQs on debris removal often include:

• What is the pickup system?
• When will the contractor/clean-up crew be in my area?
• Who are the contractors/clean-up crews and how can I contact them?
• Should I separate the different debris materials and how?
• How do I handle HHW?
• Do I have to pay? If yes, what if I cannot pay?
• What if I am elderly?
• What if I miss the initial (or only) pickup?
• Do I have to cut up small yard debris?