WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — A city service in Warner Robins made some changes for the cold season, but the new policy doesn't apply to everyone.
Folks in the International City previously complained about the city's leaf pickup service.
When the city signed a contract with a new trash company, people learned they had to bag leaves for trash pick up.
Folks like Jim Cheshire couldn't be-leaf it.
"I thought that might be a little bit of a problem for me, getting on in a few years," Cheshire said.
At 80 years old, Cheshire transports folks to and from the Happy Hour Service Center.
He says he can rake his own leaves, but he knows it's not as easy for his disabled neighbors and elderly friends.
Craig Clifton, the director of public works at the City of Warner Robins, said he heard similar concerns from folks.
"Looking down the road, I was gonna have a problem bagging the leaves," Cheshire said. "It's not an easy thing I've seen people doin'."
In response, city leaders made some changes to help elderly and disabled citizens.
"You have some that are bound to a wheelchair or can't walk out in the yard properly and they have services that will come rake up the leaves," Clifton said.
However, "most are living on a fixed income and paying someone to do all of that," Cheshire noted. "It'd probably stretch their budgets"
People are still concerned about the long-term environmental and economic impact.
"Adding more plastic such as the bags to the landfills themselves, along with the residents of our city as well," Clifton said.
Since announcing the policy change, Cheshire said he's looking forward to getting help.
He said he's left the leaves sitting in his yard so they can decompose nutrients into his soil and bugs before he rakes them.
Though the leaves are picked up by a collection truck, the biodegradable material is still taken to a landfill, according to public works.
Cheshire hopes they eventually return to composting.
"I think part of it is people can pick up and use the compost for gardening or whatever they may need," Cheshire said.
He said he thinks that would be a re-leaf.
If you qualify and seek the service, you can reach out to the sanitation representative, Cindy Bailey, at the public works department.
You can reach Bailey at 478-302-5554 and cbailey@wrga.gov.