City residents in need of a little push to get started on their spring cleaning don’t have to look very far for help.
The Seymour Department of Public Works, in fact, has a deal for anyone finding themselves in the mood for some cleaning the week of April 4 to 8.
During that five-day period, residents and small business owners can set out larger than normal amounts of trash, debris and recyclables for pickup at no cost.
It’s part of a decades-old annual event known as Make Seymour Shine Week.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]
A year ago, the department collected 194.18 tons. That’s 27.8 tons less than the 221.98 tons collected in 2014 during the week.
John Edwards, the city’s sanitation supervisor, said he’s not sure why the tonnage collected was down in 2015, although it might have something to do with the 95-gallon toters city residents have to dispose of trash each week. Those toters, which can hold a lot of trash and debris, were added a few years ago when the city went to an automated collection system.
Edwards said he still has a goal of collecting 200 tons during Make Seymour Shine Week because once the week is over, you can see a change in the city.
“It’s a lot better,” he said.
This past week, the city received a half-dozen calls from people wanting to know when Make Seymour Shine Week was going to happen, he said, and there have been additional calls this week.
“It’s a popular program,” Edwards said.
Items accepted for pickup or drop-off at the department’s facility in Freeman Field include appliances, old furniture, scrap metal, landscaping and remodeling debris and yard waste.
There’s only a few things the city won’t pick up during Make Seymour Shine Week or any other time of the year.
One of those is electronics, which the city is not capable of handling because of the state’s e-waste regulations. The city also cannot accept any asbestos items, microwaves or semitrailer or agricultural tires.
That means people need to find an alternate way to dispose of those items.
People do not need to call DPW to participate in Make Seymour Shine Week.
All they need to do is set out their trash on their regular trash collection day, Edwards said.
“We just ask people to be patient with us, and we will get it all picked up,” he said.
To make it easier and more efficient for DPW to pick it up, trash, metal and yard waste should be separated. Also, landscaping, wood debris, drywall and remodeling debris should be separated from yard waste, such as limbs, grass, leaves and garden refuse.
The only item that requires a special pickup is vehicles. The city will remove junk cars and trucks. The owner, however, must have the title and must call the department ahead of time to schedule a pickup.
Edwards said in recent years, the number of calls about junk cars and trucks has been down because of higher prices for scrap metal. Those prices are down now, and Edwards said he expects to receive more calls from people wanting to get rid of unused vehicles this year.
During Make Seymour Shine Week, DPW also will take up to four passenger vehicle tires per household. The tires may not be from semitrailers, tractors or other agricultural equipment. Tires also can be dropped off at DPW.
Anyone needing to get rid of old paint cans or other household hazardous waste, including pesticides, old fuel and cleaner, can drop them off at the DPW facility during regular business hours from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 am. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
Paint should be dried using cat litter, sawdust or an oil dry product.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”At a glance” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Make Seymour Shine Week
April 4 to 8
Procedures for free pickup
-Residential and small business only (curbside).
-No phone calls required, except for cars. Call 812-524-1100 for car pickup. Titles are required.
-Set trash out on your regular trash day (no alley pickups).
-Free pickup of all items, up to one pickup load.
-Separate trash, metal and yard waste. If trash is in a 30-gallon or smaller container, it will be thrown away.
-Landscaping, wood debris, drywall and remodeling debris are to be separated from yard waste.
-Latex paint must be dried with cat litter, sawdust or oil dry.
-Four used passenger tires per household. No semitrailer or agricultural tires.
Items accepted for pickup or dropoff
– Appliances and all other scrap metal, including appliances with Freon (no microwaves).
-Yard waste, including limbs, grass, leaves and garden waste.
-Household hazardous waste, including, pesticides, old fuels, cleaners and oil-based paints, may be brought to the Department of Public Works, 865 F Ave. East, during regular hours from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
-Electronics and asbestos items are not accepted.
Information: 812-524-1100
[sc:pullout-text-end]