By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
It's an opportunity to get rid of unwanted items that aren't normally picked up for refuse customers by the city of Hays.
The annual fall cleanup starts Monday, and you can now begin stowing what you don't want in your alley or at your curbside collection area.
"It's a free service for the city of Hays customers," said Marvin Honas, solid waste division superintendent.
"We'll be making one pass through the entire city. We don't go back," he stressed.
Curbside customers will be serviced first, then the collections move to alley customers.
Residents are asked to sort their unwanted goods into four piles:
1. Construction and Demolition Debris
• Bricks, drywall, lumber, plaster, sinks, insulation, roofing materials, etc.
2. White Goods and Metals
• Washers, dryers, siding, guttering, metal playground sets, refrigerators (freon does not have to be removed; do remove interior contents), lawn mowers, etc.
3. Tree Limbs and Brush
• No longer than 12 feet in length or 6 inches in diameter
• All yard and garden waste must be bagged
4. Municipal Waste
• Carpet, furniture, plastics, fiberglass garage doors, etc.
Employees will spend 20 minutes at each location loading discards and 10 minutes removing trees.
Last year, getting rid of the tree limbs took longer than Honas anticipated so he made a change.
"This year we will be chipping the trees with two different crews, so we're going try that and see if it gets done in a little bit more timely fashion," he said.
If workers have to leave something behind, residents will be notified, Honas said.
Crews will not pick up tires, batteries, medical waste or household hazardous waste such as paint. Household hazardous waste can be taken to the Ellis County Sanitary Landfill, 1515 W. 55th St., free of charge, Honas said.
If you want to keep some items, Honas suggested setting them away from the disposal pile and marking them clearly to not be removed.
For more information, contact Hays Public Works at 785-628-7350.