Republic passed by mine and neighbors 4 bags of leaves in plastic bags today. The answer I received from OPA was:  "Per the contract, Republic will take up to 4 bagged leaves placed in paper bags as they are taken for recycling.  If placed in plastic bags, they will need to be placed in the trash receptacle." 

I thought the current contract said nothing about having to use paper bags for yard debris. . I have over 20 plastic bags already packed. Was prepared to switch to paper but not this early. Am  I screwed? JB

So. looking at the actual wording in the contract, I 'find the following references to yard waste:

(a)  "Yard waste" shall mean all accumulations of grass or shrubbery cuttings, leaves, tree limbs, branched, brush, vines, garden plants, and other similar organic materials as the result of the cultivation and maintenance of lawns, shrubbery, vines, trees, and gardens."

and

(a)  The Company shall collect up to a maximum of four (4) bags of leaves and/or yard waste per collection. Brush, tree limbs and shrub trimmings shall be collected provided that they are cut into 4-foot lengths and tied into bundles weighing not more than 50 pounds.

I am no lawyer, but if the contract intended to define yard waste " bags" as only paper bags, that should have been specifically stipulated. It was not. The contract only says four (4) bags. 

Perhaps OPA Counsel Bruce Bright will offer an opinion but my civilian opinion is they must pick up yard waste in plastic bags or paper bags.

For what it is worth, Republic has been picking up a neighbor's trash and he rarely puts out a can. For example, last Friday he put out about 8 black plastic bags and a small pile of wood. He has never used paper bags.

They took every item. The week before they took none, and that was the first time in years they failed to take all the bags and wood debris he put out. Maybe it depends on the crew???