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Cleanup and Recycling Opportunities in Southern Indiana, Western Kentucky this weekend

An illegal roadside dump recently found in Henderson County. The free household waste days are meant to reduce such illegal dumping.
Henderson County Solid Waste and Recycling
An illegal roadside dump recently found in Henderson County. The free household waste days are meant to reduce such illegal dumping.

Keep Evansville Beautiful is holding a cleanup; Electronics recycling in Vanderburgh County, household waste drop-off in Henderson County

Eric Higgs, solid waste coordinator and Recycling Coordinator for Henderson County, said his department is cleaning up between three and five illegal roadside dumps per week.

“Anything from roof shingles to match especially old mattresses and box springs, couches, furniture, old tires, you name it, we've pretty well found pounded in illegal dumps.”

This is a huge problem in Henderson county and the cleanup is one way to reduce it.

“The point is it kind of makes things easier for citizens to have a lot of like old furniture, mattresses, couches, appliances and stuff. It saves them the trip from having to take it to the landfill or to bring it to the recycling center.”

The first cleanup is at the Niagara Volunteer Fire Department from 8 a-m to 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Acceptable items include car and truck tires, four max per household and no tractor or ag tires are accepted. Other items include furniture, metals and appliances.

Freon must be removed from any applicable items to be taken.

The list of items not accepted includes paint or any hazardous chemicals, household trash, tree or storm debris, concrete or chemical debris.

The next clean up is April 14th and 15th at the Baskett Post offices.

The final cleanup is April 28th and 29th at the Smith Mills Fire Department. Both are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Electronics Recycling Day Flier
Electronics Recycling Day Flier

Vanderburgh County is hosting the annual spring household electronics recycling day this Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon at the Civic Center parking lot at 9th and Walnut Streets.

This event is free for county residents, and is not for businesses. A variety of electronics can be brought — old TVs, smartphones, laptops, cameras and others.

Items not accepted include large office-style copy machines, nor are most kitchen appliances like microwaves or toasters. Batteries are accepted — but not until the April 8 ‘Toxaway’ day.

Jean Carlson is director of the Vanderburgh County Solid Waste District.

“We just offer a safe way to dispose of electronics that should not be thrown into the trash because they contain toxic chemicals that could be released into the environment,” she said.

Carlson said they’re contracting with CNI electronics. She said drivers should place the items in the back of their vehicle or trunk, where a worker will remove it.

Household toxic chemicals and items can be recycled the following week — April 8 — from nine a.m to 1 p.m. in the same location.

Henderson County Kentucky is holding several spring cleanup days this month. It’s a convenience for residents but also a way to curb illegal dumping.

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Keep Evansville Beautiful is hosting a two-hour cleanup on Saturday morning starting at 9 a.m. Volunteers are meeting at the Donut Bank on Green River and the Lloyd Expressway.

Mandy Rodenberg with Keep Evansville Beautiful said there are some pretty common items they’ll be picking up.

“… a lot of cigarette packs. Unfortunately, lots of mostly it fast food trash, unfortunately, to bottled water, Gatorade bottles. It's primarily just things that people somehow tend to throw out their window.”

They’ll be tackling Green River Road between The Lloyd and Morgan. Her organization needs volunteers who will be provided with vests, gloves and of course trash bags and wands.

While normally children are welcome, Rodenberg said due to the amount of nearby traffic — it might not be safest for little ones.

“I would usually bring kids to things like this, but not this one,” she said. “I think it might just be Just a little bit to traffic-y for kiddos”

If you can’t make this one, there’s another on June 3 at the same time — location to be announced.