The Town of Innisfail is encouraging residents to get into spring-cleaning mode with a couple of events this month.
The town's annual large-item pickup takes place this month. As well, the town will hold its “Green and Clean Spring Clean Up” at Centennial Park on May 11.
The third annual large item pickup began this Monday and will continue on one day each week this month. This is an opportunity for residents to get rid of any large items they may want to dispose of without having to pay for landfill costs.
“It's an opportunity for residents to get rid of things like couches and stuff that people don't normally take to the recycle centre and the landfill,” said Barry Baker, director of operational services. “You put it out and we pick it up in an attempt to clean up our town.”
The town has been divided into four sections for the pickup. The area south of 42nd Street to Highway 54 between the tracks and Highway 2A has been taken care of on Monday. Next Monday, the town will pick up large items west of the tracks to Highway 54 south to 42nd Street, including Westwood Court. On Tuesday, May 21, the area west of the tracks between Lakewood Drive south to 42nd Street will be covered. On May 27, the area north of Lakewood Drive and north of the railway tracks will be covered.
“Every Monday we've got trucks on the road in an attempt to get everything done in one month,” Baker said.
Residents who want the town to pick up large items are asked to have their items out by 7 a.m. on the day their area is to be serviced. The town will pick up items such as couches, barbecues and yard waste. Hazardous waste or items that might contain refrigerants, such as fridges and freezers, will not be collected as part of this program.
Residents are also encouraged to take part in a cleanup which will take place this Saturday beginning at Centennial Park. For the third annual spring cleanup, residents will gather at the park to help pick up litter and debris left over from the winter. People will gather at the park beginning at 9 a.m. before picking a certain area of town where they will pick up trash. The town will provide trash bags and maps; all people are asked to do is to bring their community spirit and to dress appropriately.
“Dress for the weather and bring gloves. We will supply all the garbage bags,” recreation programmer Monica Gurbuz said.
The event runs from 9 a.m. until noon, but residents are encouraged to adopt an area of town and continue picking up litter in that area throughout the month.
The Green and Clean initiative began in 2011 when local individuals, families, businesses, schools and organizations were challenged to adopt an area and clean it up for a two-week period. At the end of the campaign, 320 bags of garbage had been collected.
