Household waste collection will be accepted May 4; tire, electronic drop-offs are later
Help for citizens with spring clean-up projects on the to-do lists is right around the corner.
The annual Household Hazardous Waste & Paint Collection Day (HHW) is scheduled for 8 a.m.-noon Saturday, May 4, at the fairgrounds.
Solid Waste District coordinator Jim Skora said a $10,000 grant has allowed his office to make several visible changes to the fairground events.
The funds will be used for the special events the district holds throughout the year. The district now has 10 x 10 tent with district logos, entrance and exit signs and flags that show designated areas for items such as farm tires and electronics.
“It is just a more professional way to present the Solid Waste District to our citizens," he said.
The grant also provided the funds for the mailer residents received outlining the times for each special collection event.
“With part of that grant there was a mailer sent to all 22,000 households in the county and we are going to do that every year,” he added. “In that mailer we will have dates for collection events that are occurring as well as links to all our programming that is on our website.”
Three special one-day events on the calendar
The Farm Tire Collection Day is slated for 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 27 and the Electronics and TV Collection is set for 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 28. The Farm Tire Collection requires pre-registration.
Skora said additional messaging will be added to both sides of the Dumpsters at the 15 drop-off sites to help drive home the point to not contaminate the boxes with materials that are no acceptable.
“There will be 112 signs that we will stick on the sides of the boxes that will have messaging related to that,” Skora said, noting it is illegal to put unacceptable materials in the drop-off boxes. "This is where people drop off yard waste, trash or appliances. We see that.”
Along with the special events, the Residential Scrap Tire Collection and Freon Containing Appliance Programs are still available.
“The vouchers are issued only out of this office,” said Skora about Freon recycling. “That is for refrigerators, freezers and dehumidifiers. From college refrigerators all the way up to large refrigerators or freezers.”
Solid Waste continues its educational program
From #TeachMeTuesdays to Herbs at Home, Ashland County Solid Waste District continues to offer a variety of programs designed for groups that are interested.
“Basically any group that has an interest in our environment,” environmental educator Nancy Earick said. “The schools that participated in the education include Loudonville, Hillsdale, Mapleton, Black River, Ashland Christian, Ashland City Edison and Regan. I have also worked with homeschooled groups, 4-H, Boys Scouts and Girls Scouts.”
Earick said the program has been involved with senior citizens, Lions Clubs, church groups, assisted living homes and Ohio Business and Professional Women.
“Each year a fair booth is set up at the Ashland County Fairgrounds,” she added. “Annual coloring and writing contests are held along with a pop tab drive. ACSWD, along with Ashland County Schools, have contributed 1,544 pounds or about 1,741,630 pop tabs to the Ronald McDonald Charity in Akron as an annual Earth Day Project.”
"Nancy does a nice job with the teachers and kids," praised Skora. "She has provided her services for over 20 years to the district."
Group or organizations interested in scheduling a classroom visit can reach the education and outreach assistant Ruth McCrea at 419-281-7645. Both in-person and virtual activities are available.
This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Ashland County Household Hazardous Waste & Paint Collection is May 4
