Everything (except nuclear waste) welcome on cleanup day

By Anya Tikka
DINGMAN TOWNSHIP — “It’s time to get rid of all those odds and ends that have been lying around the backyard," said Dingman Supervisors’ Chair Thomas Mincer on May 5, when announcing the township's annual Cleanup and Electronics Recycling Day from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 9, at the Dingman Township Municipal Garage on Fisher Lane.

"Please don’t chuck them on the side of the road," he said. Just bring them in on cleanup day.

“The prices are exceptionally great,” he said, “and we’re accepting just about anything on the day.”

The township will accept many hard-to-get-rid-of items. All kinds of batteries will be accepted for recycling: wet cell (car, truck, boat, ATV), rechargeable (cell phone, camera), dry cell (zinc carbon), and alkaline, as well as electronics, refrigerators, air conditioners, dehumidifiers, and other appliances. Drywall is also accepted.

A freon removal fee will be charged where appropriate, regardless of freon content, added to the base charge.

“We accept almost anything,” Mincer said, before clarifying: “We don’t want your nuclear waste. Please dispose of it elsewhere.”

Supervisors mused over how many unusual, and often gigantic, items turn up on cleanup day each year.

“Besides electronics, people bring in very large items like sofas, and trailers full of stuff,” Mincer said. “Amazing things turn up — old toys, lots of lawnmowers, you name it. We really encourage people to bring in their stuff to keep the township free of debris.”

Because the township subsidizes the day, there are charges, and only Dingman Township residents and property owners are allowed. A government-issued photo I.D. and a property tax or utility bill will be required. The staff will check credentials.

Because the materials are unloaded by hand, township officials ask residents to package for safe handling all sharp or dangerous items. All loose items must be tied up or boxed.