By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
At least one annual fall tradition in Hays has not been affected by the coronavirus.
The 2020 alley cleanup starts Monday, Oct. 19, and city of Hays refuse customers can begin placing their discards in alleys and at curbsides Saturday, Oct. 3.
Residential curbside collections will be done first. That usually takes a couple of days, according to Marvin Honas, Solid Waste superintendent. Then crews will move on to alley collections.
"We ask that customer separate their items into four piles," Honas said. "That makes it easier and faster for our crews to pick up stuff."
The four trash categories are:
1. Tree limbs and brush--No longer than 12 feet in length or 6 inches in diameter; Bamboo bundled in 4 foot lengths; All yard and garden waste must be bagged.
2. Construction and Demolition Debris--Lumber, drywall, bricks, sinks, wires, insulation, etc. Pull or bend over nails and place small quantities of concrete, bricks, and plaster in containers.
3. White Goods/Metals--Guttering, siding, washing machines, dryers, refrigerators, metal swing sets, propane tanks for grills, etc.
4. Municipal Waste (all other items)--Furniture, carpet, TVs, computers, plastic toys, etc.
"We will not pick up tires, batteries, medical waste or household hazardous waste such as paint and cleaners," Honas added.
Tires should be disposed of at the Ellis County Landfill and hazardous waste items should be taken to the Ellis County Hazardous Waste Facility. Detailed information is available by calling 628-9460 or 628-9449.
Crews will make only one pass through the city, spending a maximum of 20 minutes at each residence.
The free program is "very well received," Honas said.
"This is a great opportunity for our citizens to clean out garages, basements, etc., and discard items that are normally not picked up with our regular solid waste collection."
Free disposal of tree limbs is always available for city of Hays residents at the Ellis County Sanitary Landfill, 1515 W. 55th, Honas noted.
He also suggested tagging or removing "treasured items" from the collection area that residents want to keep.