Reggie the Recycling Raccoon says: ‘Whoo Hoo. Spring Clean-up is here at last’

(Chelsea Update would like to thank Frank Hammer for the information in this column.)

We know there are many items that people need to get rid of, but they are too heavy, toxic, dirty, or just plain embarrassing, to take one by one to the proper places.

So in the spring, Western Washtenaw Recycling Authority (WWRA) coordinates with Washtenaw County, Dexter Township, the City of Chelsea, and Lyndon Township to hold an annual Spring Clean-up at the WWRA site at 8025 Werkner Road. This year, it will be on May 9.

Here are the basic rules:
1. You must be a resident of Washtenaw County—and be prepared to prove it.
2. Plan to make a $10/vehicle good-will donation to Washtenaw County (cash or check only), for providing the service.  Reggie says, “Wow. It’s a bargain at twice the price.”
3. Come between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., and expect to wait a bit.  Sherriff’s deputies will be managing traffic.
4. Bring any of the things that are on the list, in any amount or combination reflecting household use.
5. This is a program for households, not commercial companies.  Please respect this rule.

Everything you bring will be recycled or disposed of properly and safely.

So, what can you bring? Quite a variety.

* All the usual recycling materials
* Large hard plastic items like playhouses, garden sheds, lawn chairs and tables, children’s splash pools, and large plastic containers.
* All kinds of metal—things like water heaters, pressure tanks, propane tanks, outdoor grills and cast iron tables and chairs, bicycles, copper pipe, electrical wiring and metal faucets.
* Most household furniture including bedsprings, mattresses, and chairs.
* All electronics including televisions, computers, printers, router, modems, tablets, and phones.
* Light bulbs of any kind are acceptable.  Also lamps and light fixtures.
* Appliances including stoves, washing machines, driers and microwaves
* Household hazardous waste including cleaning supplies, oil based paints, latex paints, pesticides, herbicides, antifreeze and used motor oil
* All types of batteries ranging from small cell batteries to car and truck batteries

So what will not be accepted with a simple $10 donation?
* Appliances with Freon, including refrigerators, freezers and air conditions—these will be charged $10 per unit.
* Tires, with or without rims, BUT the first four (4) tires are free. Then it will cost $10 per tire.
* Hide-a-beds are not part of this program and regular fees will apply, which is $20 per unit.  Realize these have serious metal frames that cause issues.
* Construction and demolition materials are not covered and will require standard fees.  This includes storm windows, old vanities, sinks or toilets, and roofing shingles, used or new.  The cost is $25 per yard.

If you have questions about an item or material, send them to [email protected] and Reggie will answer them next week, or call WWRA at 475-6160 or Washtenaw County at 734-222-3827 during business hours.

Reggie’s Royal Recycling Review:

* Recycling puts materials back into use; trash is for things that cannot be used again.
* Flexible plastic of all kinds go in the trash, not in the recycling bins.
* Styrofoam and Polystyrene are good for packaging, but have to go to the trash.
* Plastics 1 and 2 can live anew, but 3 to 8 just don’t rate.
* Most other plastics are recyclable—but never foam rubber, garden hoses, or flexibles.
* Be a recycling consumer. Let businesses know you want recyclable containers and thank those establishments that provide them.
* Please save a tree by recycling all your paper, including junk mail and cardboard.
Reggie Re-lert:
* All plastic bags can now go back to their source at participating grocery stores.

Don’t miss the Spring Cleanup.  Reggie hopes to see you there on May 9.