By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Residents are already setting out their unwanted junk and other trash not normally picked up by the city of Hays in anticipation of the fall alley cleanup, which starts Monday, Oct. 26.
The annual event is free for Hays solid waste customers, with four crews making one sweep through the city. One crew is dedicated to picking up tree limbs and brush.
According to Solid Waste Superintendent Marvin Honas, the cleanup will start with customers who have curbside refuse service.
“That usually takes a day, to a day and a half, although there is no set schedule,” Honas said. “Sometimes we run behind with picking up brush and tree limbs. Then we’ll start into the alleys.”
Customers are asked to separate their discarded materials into four piles.
“If it’s separated, it makes it easier than having to rummage through a pile of stuff. It saves us a lot of time,” Honas explained.
The commodities are:
1) Tree Limbs and Brush–No longer than 12 feet in length or 6 inches in diameter; All yard and garden waste must be bagged.
2) Construction and Demolition Debris–Includes lumber, drywall, bricks, sinks and toilets, wiring, etc.; Nails should be pulled or bent over; Place small quantities of concrete, bricks, and plaster in containers.
3) White Goods/Metals–Includes guttering, siding, washing machines, dryers, refrigerators, metal swing sets, etc. Freon does not have to be removed from refrigerators. The Ellis County Transfer Station will do the removals. Bicycles will be collected, sorted and taken to Ellsworth for refurbishing and then returned to Hays for distribution.
4) Municipal Waste (all other items)–Includes furniture, carpet, electronic equipment, Styrofoam, etc.
The number of employees committed to the cleanup may vary from day to day; therefore, crews are unable to predict when they will be at a residence. There is a time limit per residence.
The tree limbs and brush will be chipped and taken to the Hays Parks Department, 1546 E. U.S. Highway 40 Bypass, for free pickup by residents.
The city will not pick up tires, medical waste or household hazardous waste. Tires should be disposed of at the Ellis County Landfill, and hazardous waste items should be disposed of at the Ellis County Hazardous Waste Facility. Call (785) 628-9460 or (785) 628-9449 for detailed information.
Honas recommends removing any items from the collection area that residents want to keep in order to avoid wrongful pickup.
For more information, contact the Hays Public Works Department at (785) 628-7350.