Metro Public Works will provide curbside pickup of Christmas Trees within the Urban Services District (the old City of Louisville boundaries) after the holiday through January 3rd. 

Residents with City curbside yard waste pickup may set their Christmas trees and greenery out on their regular collection day. Trees must not be in plastic bags, and all decorations must be removed. Drop-off sites will also be available for all Louisville/Jefferson County residents at three locations. Two of the three drop-off sites will also instantly recycle trees in to mulch that will be offered back to citizens for home use. Those wishing to receive mulch must bring an appropriate container in which to carry it. For drop-off sites or further information go to www.louisvilleky.gov

OR:

The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources suggests that you donate the tree to be used for fish habitat. Fisheries Director Ron Brooks says the agency tries to get numerous trees every year to sink them for the fish. The trees must be natural and free of lights, ornaments, tinsel, garland or any other decorations. The state will accept them at 35 locations in 29 counties across Kentucky until Jan. 15. To find a location, visit http://www.fw.ky.gov and type "Christmas" in the search engine in the top right corner of the page.

We'll take the old when you get the new

When the holiday season ushers in new electronics such as televisions, computers, and the like, don't let the old ones sit in the garage or basement. Public Works is happy to take them off your hands so they can be recycled. All you have to do is bring those newly obsolete  devices to us at the Waste Reduction Center at 636 Meriwether Avenue. The service is free of charge. Special drop-off collections will be held during regular Waster Reduction Center hours on Saturday January 7, Saturday January 14 and Saturday January 21. Regular Saturday hours are 8 AM. to 3 PM. Read more about year round electronics recycling.

DO recycle those cardboard boxes

Trash cans overflow during the holiday season, with one estimate that we generate 25% more waste than usual this time of year.  A good sustainability practice is to divert as much as possible to the recycle bin.   

 If your bin won’t hold all of the broken down boxes you have, save a few for next week or visit a recycling center.  Don’t worry if the box has some tape on it. 

The annual program that helps prevent low income residents of Louisville from being disconnected from utility services begins Monday, Jan. 9, 2017.

LIHEAP, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, is administered by Louisville Metro Department of Community Services. The Crisis Phase of LIHEAP will run from Jan. 9 - March 31, or until available funds have been expended, whichever comes first.

Residents wishing to apply must make an appointment in advance utilizing the new, automated appointment system.  

Scheduling an appointment by phone: Call 502-991-8391.

• Choose the desired location for your appointment (the six office locations are listed below.)
• Choose a date/time for your appointment
• Record your name – say and spell your first and last names slowly and clearly
• Enter a contact phone number
• Enter your 12-digit LGE account number (if applicable)
• Enter the last four digits of your Social Security number and date of birth
• Receive your appointment confirmation number (have pen/paper ready)
• Appointment details (location, date and time) will be repeated
• List of documents to bring to the appointment will be given

Scheduling an Appointment On-line:

Appointments can also be made at www.louisvilleky.cascheduler.com

A new Rental Registry for all rental property in Metro Louisville is now up and running online following the passage of an ordinance in September by the Louisville Metro Council. 

Effective March 1, 2017, all property located in Louisville Metro and occupied or offered for occupancy in exchange for money or any other consideration must be registered with Louisville Metro Government. Failure to register is subject to a fine up to $100 per day per housing unit.

The registration calls for:

• Rental property owners to include the rental unit street address
• List current contact information of the owner and managing operator.
• New owners to register within thirty days of any ownership transfer.
• Any change in contact information to be updated on the registry within thirty days of the change.

 Visit: https://www.louisvilleky.gov/government/codes-regulations, to establish an account and access the registry, or to get detailed information and instructions on registry requirements.

Registration is free and will be monitored by the staff of Develop Louisville. 

Learn to prepare taxes and make a difference  at the same time.  Become a VITA volunteer. Sign up here.

Read how Community Services is joining with Louisville Asset Building Coalition to recruit more volunteers so more residents can be served by VITA.