By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The 18th annual Hays Alley Cleanup started Monday.

Residents were allowed to begin putting out their unwanted junk two weeks ago.

Items not normally picked up during the regular refuse collection were to be placed in the same location as the trash pickup for city customers.

Curbside pickup is being done first. Then workers from several city departments will move into the alleyways.

Parks Department employee Mike Windholz was working curbside collections early Tuesday morning, aided by Tanner Wulf of the service division.

The duo was using a pickup and trailer for smaller items. Windholz said a larger truck is reserved for construction debris.

Crews will make just one sweep across Hays with no specific timetable, according to Marvin Honas, solid waste superintendent, and spend no more than 20 minutes in each location.

“This is a great opportunity to clean out your shed, attic, garage, basement or whatever else you might have,” Honas said.

There is no cost to customers.

Residents should sort their items into four piles:

1. Tree limbs and Brush–No longer than 12 feet in length or 6 inches in diameter

2. Construction and Demolition Debris–Lumber, drywall, bricks, sinks, tubs, wires, fencing, etc. (Please 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, etc.

4. Municipal Waste (All other items)–Furniture, carpet, TVs, foam, etc.

Items that will not be collected are tires, batteries, household hazardous waste, or medical waste.

For more details, contact the Hays Solid Waste Department at 785-628-7350 or check the city’s website.