People brought so many items to the Festus Spring Clean Up on April 25 that those running the event ended it about an hour early.
“It was a very successful spring cleanup,” said Melissa Brown, a Festus spokesperson.
Sponsored by the city of Festus and trash hauler Waste Connections, the free event took place at the Festus Public Works facility on Fifth Street.
Brown, who works in accounts payable and procurement, said organizers had to close the event down when all of the trash-hauling trucks and related equipment were at capacity.
“The spring cleanup was scheduled for 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., and we had 17 trash trucks, eight yard waste trucks and two metal dumpsters,” Brown said. “We had to shut the event down shortly before 2 p.m. because the trucks were maxed out.”
She said she understood some of the disgruntled reactions from those not able to drop off their items when the event ceased earlier than scheduled, but overfilling the trucks would have become a safety issue.
“When the trucks were maxed out, there was nothing we could do,” she said. “It’s been probably 10 years since we last had to close early.”
Waste Connections collected items such as appliances, computers, stereos, water heaters, furnaces and furniture. A limited amount of construction debris also was accepted as long as nails had been removed. Yard waste, including limbs cut down to 4 feet, leaves and grass clippings, was accepted.
Brown said a free shred day event was held in conjunction with the spring cleanup, and it also brought out long lines of people. She supervised the shredding event.
“(Free shred day) was supposed to run 8-10 a.m.,” she said. “We started about 25 minutes early and went about 25 minutes over. I had more than 300 cars of residents come for the shredding event. We had 27 bins of shredded items.”
She said nice weather undoubtedly inspired people to participate in the cleanup and shredding day activities.
“It’s something the city does for the benefit of the residents,” Brown said. “It’s a free service to all residents. They either show a driver’s license or a city water bill (to prove their residency).”
Those attending the cleanup and shredding day activities were encouraged to bring donations of canned food and nonperishable food for the Ozark Food Pantry, which is based in Festus.
She said the spring cleanup – as well as a fall cleanup – are part of the city’s contract with Waste Connections. The fall cleanup is scheduled for Oct 24.
The city pays for the shredding.
“We have different companies do the shredding,” she said. “The shredding costs the city $900 to $1,000 each time.”