The City of Chanute has had an annual cleaning campaign since the late 1970s. According to City Manager Todd Newman, the first event was established by proclamation on April 30, 1977.
According to the first proclamation, the cleaning efforts were to mitigate the potential for fire by removing combustible materials.
“Clean up campaigns also contribute to the general health and welfare of the community,” the proclamation read.
This year Spring City Clean Up and Landfill Week begins on Monday, April 28, and ends on Friday, May 2. According to Landfill Supervisor Josey Leck, citizens can get rid of things too large for normal refuse and have free access to the landfill this week.
In a written statement from Leck, he said items must be bundled, bagged, or boxed and left on the curb the evening before one’s scheduled trash pick up. Leck said the landfill will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. throughout the week to serve residents for free. Proof of residency is required.
Tires, leaves, and grass clippings will not be accepted. Construction or remodeling materials are also not accepted during Clean Up Week. Items containing Freon will only be accepted if there is proof that the Freon has been removed by a licensed professional.
According to the City website, Tree limbs and brush may be disposed of at the landfill, up to two inches in diameter. Anything larger than that may still be disposed of at the rate of $16 per ton or a minimum charge of $5 for up to 200 pounds. Grass clippings and leaves are not accepted at the landfill, but can be taken to the city’s compost site at the wastewater treatment plant located at 2600 South Katy Road.
“As far as chemicals go, we can take anything,” Leck said. “The only thing we require is that the material is dry,” Leck said.
One way to dispose of the chemical is to pour the liquid into cat litter and allow the litter to soak up the chemicals. It can then be disposed of in the trash, Leck said.
Outside of Clean Up Week, citizens can request a dumpster to be placed outside of their house for two full days. This can be done twice a year at no charge.
Mayor Jacob LaRue said Clean Up Week is about having pride in the community.
“While this yearly event helps maintain clean, safe living conditions for our community. It’s important to be mindful year-round of rubbish that may impact others around us,” LaRue said. “We should use this yearly event as a reminder to make sure our living spaces are safe and clean; not only for the ones residing in the residence, but for their neighbors that may be impacted by the attraction of varmints, or other items which may find their way into other properties.”
