Charles City Residential Spring Drop-off planned for April 20-27

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com

Charles City again this year invites residents to drop off their no longer needed items in the dumpsters at the Shaw Avenue Dump Site for the annual Spring Cleanup.

The free drop-off, out near the water resource reclamation facility off of Clark Street, will be available from Saturday, April 20, through Saturday, April 27 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends and from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays.

City Administrator Steve Diers said the change from a citywide pickup service to a drop-off service seemed to go well last year, the first year the change was made, and the Shaw Avenue site is a good location to have people bring their items.

Community service clubs and high school students have offered to help those who aren’t able to deliver their items to the drop-off themselves, and persons who need this assistance are asked to call City Hall to be added to the schedule. That number is 641-257-6300.

Each residence is allowed one load such as a pickup truck full to be dropped off at the dump site, and city officials emphasized the service is for community residents only. People will be stationed at the drop-off site and proof of residence will be required.

There will be separate dumpsters for garbage, metals and cardboard, and people are asked to separate what they are dropping off into the appropriate bin.

Bulky item curbside pickup will still be available, but a fee will be charged and the pickups must be scheduled in advance by calling LJP/Jendro Sanitation at 641-228-3525 no later than Monday, April 15, to schedule a time and arrange payment before the pickup.

Examples of fees listed by the city for curbside pickup include $15 per yard of carpeting; $20 for a grill (but no propane tanks); $25 for large furniture such as mattress, box spring, recliner, table, dresser or regular sofa; $40 for a sleeper sofa.

Examples of items that cannot be dropped off at the drop site include major household appliances; batteries; shingles, tar paper or other construction debris; landscape waste; hazardous waste; and medical waste.

The drop-off will also accept up to four passenger-car-size tires per household.

A more complete list of what is and isn’t allowed is available on the Charles City website, www.cityofcharlescity.org, under the “News & Announcements” tab near the middle of the home page.

The website also contains information regarding options to get rid of or recycle items that won’t be accepted at the drop-off site.