Elgin making a clean sweep of things next week
Elgin's fourth annual Spring Cleanup is next week, and it will be more than your honey-do list that's working overtime.
Elgin's Salvation Army branch for the first time is staying open the entire week until 9 p.m. to accommodate the influx of clothes, small appliances and other items donated by residents.
In past years, people have dropped off a small mountain of stuff each night outside the thrift shop at 316 Douglas Ave.
"If it rained, some of the stuff got ruined," said Salvation Army Maj. Ken Nicolai, who noted the shop normally closes at 4 p.m. "We extended our hours because a lot of people drop off items in the evening."
The city this year will pay Waste Management $332,000 for the weeklong, virtually unlimited pickup.
Extra workers will be called in to haul away trash, yard waste and bulk items for free on regular trash collection days.
"It's a huge, huge undertaking for Waste Management because of the sheer size of our community," said Tish Powell, Elgin's public works administrative superintendent. "We're one of the largest cities in the area that has a program like this."
More than 3,100 tons of trash was collected during Spring Cleanup week last year, about 1½ times the weight collected in regular trash collection for an entire month, Powell said.
City officials acknowledge there's not much they can do to stop scavenging in various neighborhoods.
They ask that scavengers don't make a mess of garbage piles or empty bags because it will make collection more time consuming.
Powell also urges residents to think twice before pitching old clothes, outdated small appliances and building materials.
She noted that several locations accept items: Salvation Army in Elgin; Goodwill at 260 Randall Road, South Elgin or 1420 S. Route 59, Bartlett; and Habitat for Humanity's ReStore, 860 N. State St., Elgin.
Different trucks for trash, recycling and bulk items will visit neighborhoods.
Residents are advised to avoid on-street parking on their scheduled collection day.
Other items such as old computers, monitors, other electronic items and books can be recycled free of charge at the Kane County Electronics and Book Recycling Drop-Off Program, which is on the second Saturday of each month.
If you have questions, on the electronics recycling program, call (630) 208-3841.
Some disposal tips
Residents are asked to observe the following guidelines in order to ensure collection during Elgin's Spring Cleanup Week. Pickup is on the same day your trash is normally collected.
• Trash must be in plastic bags or cans no larger than 40 gallons or heavier than 45 pounds. Items such as wood and carpet should be tied into secure bundles or rolls.
• Yard waste must be bagged in paper yard waste bags or tied into secure bundles up to 45 pounds. Yard waste bags should be kept separate from trash items.
• Bulk items such as televisions, furniture and tires should be placed out whole/as is. Remove motor oil and gasoline from items such as grills and lawnmowers.
• A maximum of two major appliances will be collected per household without a sticker. Please remove doors from appliances prior to putting them out.
• Some items that will not be collected: computer monitors, paint, pesticides, automotive batteries, gasoline and used oil.
• Questions? Call public works at (847) 697-3160 or visit www.cityofelgin.org.