SHELBY — The Shelby City Health Department will lead a citywide cleanup campaign for three days at the end of May.
Shelby residents are invited to show community pride by participating in efforts to reduce health hazards and beautify the city.
Cleanup efforts are set to take place Thursday, May 16 and Friday, May 17 from 8 a.m to 5 p.m. The campaign will resume Saturday, May 18 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The campaign allows city residents to dispose of items from the exterior of their property, including appliances, furniture, tires and small limbs/branches.
Sue Shenberger, administrative professional for the Shelby City Health Department, said the campaign helps residents prepare their yards for spring and summer.
“It gives them a chance and opportunity, especially with the cost of everything nowadays, to do this (cleanup) for free,” she said. “It’s nice for the residents.”
“We’re hoping every resident takes advantage of this and that we have a big turnout.”
What items will be accepted?
A variety of items from the exterior of Shelby properties will be accepted at the city’s electric department lot, 73 W. State St.
City residents can drop off stoves, refrigerators, window air conditioners, washers and dryers. Furniture which fits in the dumpster will be accepted, including couches and mattresses.
Four passenger vehicle tires — taken off of rims — will also be collected.
Small limbs and branches less than four inches in diameter are eligible for curbside pickup. Residents are asked to place limbs/branches curbside by May 16.
Shenberger said removing this kind of yard debris helps limit the number of insects, mosquitos and rodents.
“Cleaning up your yard, keeping it nice and neat, will help keep away all the diseases from all the insects and rodents,” she said. “That’s why we’re focusing on the exterior (of properties).”
Items ineligible for drop off
Several types of exterior items will not be eligible for the three-day cleanup campaign, including pesticides, herbicides and cleaners.
Tires from tractors, semis, commercial/business or race vehicles will not be taken for disposal.
Furthermore, the health department will not accept televisions, computers or automotive oils, fluids and batteries. Hazardous waste items, such as paints, stains and varnishes, are ineligible for drop off.
However, dried latex paint will be accepted. The health department recommends leaving the lid off of the paint can to speed up the drying process.
(Below is a PDF displaying information from the Shelby City Health Department regarding the community cleanup campaign May 16-18.)
Cleanup campaign details, ways to volunteer
Assistance from the Shelby City Health Department is available for elderly and/or disabled persons wishing to participate.
Shenberger said the health department is seeking volunteers willing to pick up items from elderly and/or disabled persons’ residences and deliver them to the drop-off site.
“We’re getting volunteers to come and help them get things off their property, over to our site and into the dumpsters,” she explained.
More information can be requested by calling the health department at (419)-342-5226.
City officials will be onsite verifying addresses for residential status. The health department reserves the right to refuse any and all material deemed unfit for collection.
Large amounts or multiple loads of solid wastes originating from the same residence — deemed excessive — may be refused.
