<em>Photo above: Port Royal resident John Eliasson uses a garbage can lid to move twigs and leaves to a pile of limbs near the curb of his London Avenue home. Photo by Bob Sofaly.</em>

When Matthew left, he left tons of debris behind.

The storm and its aftermath have caused some changes in garbage pickup and officials have put together plans to pick up yard waste and other vegetation.

The city of Beaufort’s residential garbage and recycling pickup by Waste Pro resumed Tuesday and there is a one-day delay in the normal schedule. The delay will continue through the end of the week.

All storm-related vegetative debris in the city will be collected by a FEMA-approved contractor beginning next week.

Residents are asked to put all tree branches, leaves, logs, plants, etc., in the right-of-way (or by the curb). This debris must not be contaminated with anything other than vegetation material.

The town of Bluffton has placed industrial-sized dumpsters at three sites for disposal of storm debris:
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">• Eagles’ Field at the corner of Buck Island Road and Bluffton Parkway
• The Rotary Community Center parking lot located in Oscar Frazier Park at 11 Recreation Court
• Oyster Factory Park at 63 Wharf St.</p>
These sites will only be in place for a limited time. Bluffton residents should use these dumpsters for storm debris only, which includes tree branches, limbs, twigs, trunks and other debris from plants and trees.

For unincorporated Beaufort County residents, only debris caused by Hurricane Matthew is eligible for collection.

Private property owners are responsible for moving debris material to the right of way/curb and should be careful not to block fire hydrants or other electrical or phone service boxes, as covering these fixtures will likely cause damage and slow recovery efforts.

Residents should sort Class 1 and Class 2 debris into separate piles and leave it on the right of way/curb at their residence. Class 1 debris includes tree limbs, leaves and tree logs cut into sections. Class 2 debris includes building materials, drywall, lumber, carpet, furniture, mattresses and plumbing items.

Beaufort County and its municipalities (with the exception of private communities) will provide this service at no cost in unincorporated areas.

Residents should be aware of contractors trying to charge for debris removal services.

Residents who subscribe to a waste provider for curbside collection should contact their provider for information as to when curbside collections will resume.

Beaufort County Convenience Centers are now open and accepting bagged, household garbage. The following centers are open from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.:
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">• Bluffton Convenience Center, 104 Simmonsville Road
• Lobeco Convenience Center, 6 Keans Neck Road
• Pritchardville Convenience Center, 270 Gibbet Road
• Shanklin Convenience Center, 80 Shanklin Road
• St. Helena Convenience Center, 639 Sea Island Parkway</p>
For more information, call  the Solid Waste and Recycling Office the Beaufort County Public Works Department at 843-255-2736.