It's almost time for fall cleanup.
The annual Schuylkill County Fall Cleanup and Recycling event will be held from Sept. 16 to 27. Twelve sites throughout the county will be collecting scrap tires, electronics, appliances, scrap metal and other bulky items at various times during those two weeks.
County government, in cooperation with the local municipalities and businesses, are sponsoring the drop-off program available to all county residents. The program also serves as an outlet for municipalities that do not have tire and appliance collection programs. It is funded by the Schuylkill County board of commissioners and the state Department of Environmental Protection.
Proof of residency must be provided.
Lee Raring, Schuylkill County Solid Waste and Recycling coordinator, said each year there have been more items collected.
"The two items we see the most are electronics and tires," Raring said Thursday.
Raring said there have been a few cleanups since the Covered Device Recycling Act of 2010 went into effect in January, forbidding trash haulers from collecting electronic devices, and there might not be as many items collected this year.
However, Raring is still expecting a good turnout.
"I still get calls daily from people asking where they can take their electronics," Raring said. "I've been referring everybody to this cleanup and they seem happy about their options. We have been receiving an unbelievable amount of requests from people looking to get rid of TVs."
Raring said while local electronic stores are required to collect some items, there are limits on size and what they can take. He suggested people round up such items for the September cleanup, hold on to them until the next event or check with their local municipalities.
He said he hasn't seen or heard about people dumping electronics illegally and that people have generally been happy with the number of collection events throughout the year.
"You are seeing more and more people becoming environmentally aware and kids are being taught to recycle at an early age," Raring said. "These electronic collection agencies have been getting quite a lot of items from our county."
Electronics, such as TV sets, microwaves and computer systems, are being accepted at no charge.
Tires, only from automobile, light truck and motorcycle/RV vehicles up to 16 inches, will be accepted. Fees are $2 per tire without rims and $3 per tire with rims. The limit is 10 tires per load and no more than two loads per customer. Municipalities will also be charged the per tire fee and are requested to make an appointment with the host collection site for large loads.
Freon-bearing appliances, such as air conditions, refrigerators and dehumidifiers, will cost $10 each. Non-freon bearing appliances and scrap metal, such as stoves, washers, dryers, water heaters, bicycles, grills, and metal furniture, are free.
Bulky items, such as mattresses, box springs, rolls of carpet, doors and windows, will cost $10 each. Items like sofas and overstuffed chairs will cost $5 per cushion.
Household hazardous waste, including paints, solvents, cleaners and poisons, will not be accepted. Questions concerning disposal of such items should be directed to the Schuylkill County Office of Solid Waste and Resource Management at 570-628-1220.
Collection sites for week of Sept. 16
· Wayne Township - Township building, Route 183 and Municipal Road
Noon to 6 p.m. Sept. 19
7:30 a.m. to noon Sept. 20
7:30 a.m. to noon Sept. 21
Phone: 570-739-2629
· CES Landfill, Hegins - 1/4 mile east of the Interstate 81 and Route 25 intersection
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 16 to Sept. 22
Phone: 570-695-3590
· Pottsville - City Garage, East Railroad Street
7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sept. 16 to Sept. 20
8 a.m. to noon Sept. 21
Phone: 570-622-7690
· Ringtown - West Apple Street near the drop-off recycling site
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 19 and Sept. 20
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 21
Phone: 570-889-3095
· North Manheim Township - Township building, 303 Manheim Road
8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 19 and Sept. 20
8 a.m. to noon Sept. 21
Phone: 570-385-2778
· Pine Grove Township - Township building, 175 Oak Grove Road
8 a.m. to noon Sept. 19, Sept. 20 and Sept. 21
Phone: 570-345-4202
Collection sites for week of Sept. 23
· Minersville - Compost site on North Delaware avenue
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 23 to Sept. 27
8 a.m. to noon Sept. 28
Phone: 570-544-2149
· Tamaqua Transfer Station - Sewage Plant Road
7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sept. 23 to Sept. 27
7 a.m. to noon Sept. 28
Phone: 570-668-4515
· Girardville - behind the "A" Street School
7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 26 and Sept. 27
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 28
Phone: 570-276-1635
· Porter Township - Township building, 309 W. Wiconisco St., Muir
2 to 6 p.m. Sept. 26 and Sept. 27
7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 28
Phone: 717-647-4656
· Hegins Township - Township building, 421 S. Gap St., Valley View
8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 26 and Sept. 27
8 a.m. to noon Sept. 28
Phone: 570-682-9133
· Schuylkill Haven - Compost site on St. Charles Street
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 23 to Sept. 27
8 a.m. to noon Sept. 28
Phone: 570-385-2841