Elgin cleanup is next week

If you've been feeling cooped up all winter and want some room to breathe, Elgin's annual Spring Cleanup Week could provide the momentum you need.

Beginning Monday, residents on their regular trash collection day will be able to dispose of essentially unlimited garbage.

In addition to regular trash, and free brush collection in April, residents may pitch up to two large items, such as appliances, without having to buy a special trash sticker. The fourth-annual event will run the city about $350,000.

Despite complaints about the timing of the event last year, David Lawry, the city's general services director, said officials do not plan to change the week.

"We try to remain consistent with the week we're doing this. We always do it in the last full week of March," he said. "Each year, the numbers have steadily increased."

About 3,000 tons are collected during the spring clean up week , about 1 1/2 times the weight collected in a normal month.

"The community really looks forward to this," said city spokeswoman Sue Olafson.

The unlimited trash pickup is available only to residential households with five or fewer units as well as condos/townhouses that receive service from Waste Management.

Residents are asked to avoid parking on the street during the week; officials also note that different trucks will be servicing neighborhoods.

Last year, city officials worked hard to promote additional hours for donating clothes and other goods at the Salvation Army in Elgin, 316 Douglas Ave., and used and reusable construction materials at the Habitat for Humanity's ReStore, 800 N. State St., Elgin.

Those options are still available, but the Salvation Army thrift store will not be open extra hours because personnel hours had to be trimmed, said Salvation Army Major Ken Nicolai.

People may drop off items during normal business hours, he said.

For more information about the Spring Clean Up, call (847) 697-3160 or visit cityofelgin.org.