Don’t put trash cans out in Macon during Helene; service to resume after storm passes

Macon-Bibb County officials urged residents not to put their trash cans out for pickup Friday morning, indicating trash pickup won’t happen until the storm passes.

Emergency Management Director Spencer Hawkins said Thursday that putting trash out poses a risk because the most dangerous winds will move through Macon between 3 and 6 a.m. Friday.

“That big red Ryland trash can ... can become a big piece of debris,” he said, adding that residents’ trash could be scattered across their neighborhood.

Emergency management officials said during a livestream Thursday that Ryland Environmental is working with the county to determine when trash pickup will be safe. Chris Floore, a spokesperson for Macon-Bibb County, said there won’t be any pickup until Hurricane Helene passes.

In a post to Facebook, Ryland Environmental said pickup crews in Macon would start their Friday service later in the day and finish Saturday.

“Thank you for your understanding during this dangerous weather event,” the company said. “We will always make decisions with the safety of our employees as the driving factor.”