It’s almost time for Callander residents to take out some serious trash. Spring cleanup begins May 3rd, and you can kick that refuse to the curb.
That marks the day of the annual cleanup, and for those who have their garbage day on Friday, May 6th is your time to participate. The big event falls on May 7th—what many would hail as the highlight of the cleanup—drop off day.
A one day only event, the town provides bins at Callander’s Operations Yard at 100 Nipissing Street for large items. Haul in your heftier garbage between 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. and let those bins eviscerate all memory of that broken chair stashed in the garage for seven years.
Some may question the difference between regular curbside pickup and the special spring cleanup curbside pickup, and wonder if the event is worth the hype? Regular curbside pickup allows for two bags of residential garbage, but during spring cleanup, those limits are removed.
The only rule is to take into consideration the garbage collector’s back. There will be one person on that truck, so keep the items light. That old lamp from the in-laws, the puzzles you could never finish during lock-down, or an old frying pan.
To be clear, do not put out large items that one person could not lift comfortably. No couches, mattresses, big easy chairs, tables, or decaying kiddie pools are allowed.
Those items are for the bins at the Operations Yard. There will be six bins on hand, and once the day ends, they will be hauled to the Merrick Landfill.
One of those bins will be dedicated to mattresses. Another will be available for tires. One container is meant for mixed metals, and three more will be filled with mixed waste, such as shower stalls, toilets, sinks, wood, large carpets, heavy yard waste, and non-commercial construction debris.
What about fridges? The answer is no, and all fridges, dehumidifies, water coolers, and air conditioners must be brought to the landfill.
As for batteries and electronics, the operation’s site has a permanent collection bin where residents can drop off old or used up products from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday.
For hazardous waste, residents are asked to bring that to 112 Patton Street in North Bay where they can relieve themselves of that for free.
No shingles, concrete, stones, or gravel will be permitted, as these items must also go to the Merrick Landfill. Bring your wallet, as fees apply. Callander also reminds residents that no commercial garbage is accepted at any time during the spring cleanup.
And for those outside of Callander tempted to toss into one of those six bins, resist the urge. The spring cleanup is for taxpayers of Callander only.
David Briggs is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of BayToday, a publication of Village Media. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
