Community Clean Ups Proving Successful

The first three community fall clean up events that the City of Yakima’s Refuse Division has coordinated this year have been big successes.  In total, the Sept. 7th, Sept. 28th, and Oct. 12th  clean ups have yielded nearly 20 tons (40,000 pounds) of trash, 2 tons of metal and 638 old tires.  Combined with earlier community clean up efforts in the spring, the City has collected more than 72 tons of trash, along with several tons of scrap metal and nearly 2400 old tires.

The final event scheduled for this year will take place on Saturday, November 2nd and will focus on the area north of Tieton Drive between roughly 40th Avenue and 1st Street.  A free drop off site will be open from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm at the City of Yakima Public Works parking lot at 2301 Fruitvale Blvd.  Residents from the clean up area can bring unwanted items to the drop off site at any time during those hours.

Anyone bringing trash to the drop off site is urged to separate household refuse from yard debris.  Recycling bins will also be available to handle scrap metal, paper, cardboard, plastic bottles, and milk jugs.  The drop off site will not accept hazardous materials such as paint and chemicals, but can take up to 10 old tires for disposal.

Goodwill Industries will also have a truck at the drop off site to accept old electronic equipment for recycling and donations of reusable items. Habitat for Humanity will also be accepting gently used furniture, home accessories and building materials.

Results from both the 2012 and 2013 Yakima Citizen Surveys clearly revealed an expectation that the City of Yakima should be more proactively involved in improving the overall appearance of the community.

Any individuals or groups interested in becoming involved in future Yakima community clean ups should contact Yakima Refuse Code Compliance Officer James Scott at 576-6745.

Contact:  Yakima Refuse Code Compliance Officer James Scott – 576-6745

                 Communications & Public Affairs Director Randy Beehler – 901-1142

Community Clean Up Days 11-02-13 News Release .pdf