If you have any bulky items that need to be disposed of, drop them off free of charge at the Monroe County Fairgrounds on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 28 and 29, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Event sponsors are the Monroe County Solid Waste Management District (District), Hoosier Disposal & Recycling Services, the Monroe County Fair Board, Monroe County Highway Department and the Citizen's Advisory Committee. Citizens can bring unusable furniture, appliances, etc., to the Monroe County Fairgrounds, Gate #3, off Airport Road.

Usable furniture and working appliances don't belong in the trash. However, to ensure that any usable bulky items do not end up in the landfill, the District's Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) will have some reuse agencies there to divert the usable material as they did last year. This additional service on Bulky Item Days, added last fall, was very successful at diverting usable materials from the landfill.

Executive Director Larry D. Barker says, "Throughout the year the District urges the public to give usable items to the many people who could use them or charitable agencies. However, since we now have a reuse component as part of our Bulky Item Days waste reduction effort, the public may bring bulky reusable items as well because reuse agencies may will be on-site Aug. 28 and Aug. 29. The reuse agencies will decide whether they can accept the item or items."

Free Acceptable Items:
Bathtubs
Couches
Dressers
Mattresses
Toilets
Tables
Furniture
Large Household Items
Boards/Lumber
Carpets/Flooring
Building Materials

Scrap Metal Recycling:
Microwaves
Grills (no tanks)
Tire rims (no tires)
Stoves
Washer/Dryer
Steel/Aluminum Pipe
Fence Posts Only (No fencing)
Other Scrap Metal

Barker reminds the public that on the Bulky Item Days, all regular services of orange bag trash disposal, recycling and trading posts will be available at the District's other sites. Orange bag trash will not be accepted at the Fairgrounds.

Environmental Compliance Director Tom McGlasson Jr. says, "We remind the public to be responsible in observing disposal regulations, disposing of bulky items, trash and recyclables so the waste doesn't end up disposed of illegally. Mattresses, couches, chairs, and other furniture items are frequently found at illegal dump sites in Monroe County. This event is a way for residents to take pride in their community and keep it clean."

Illegal dumping costs taxpayers money, pollutes the air, water, and soil contributing to a host of safety problems, and cleanups can take years. Whether you're moving in or out or just redecorating, and you're a Monroe County resident, this District event can help you.

Appliances w/$20 Sticker:
Air Conditioners
Dehumidifiers
Refrigerators
Freezers

Items NOT Accepted:
Chemical Containers
Fluorescent Bulbs
Gas Cans
Household Trash
Paint Cans
Televisions
Computers/Monitors
Empty Car Gas Tanks
Propane Tanks
Tires
Roofing
Household Hazardous Waste
* Other items of similar size and weight in each category may be accepted.
* Orange bags must be taken to one of our rural sites during regular days and hours and if the trash item can fit into an orange bag, it must be in an orange bag.

Orange bags are not needed for bulky items. Bulky items do not include household waste/household trash. There will be no charge for bulky items, with the exception of Freon-containing appliances and tires.

Freon containing appliances will only be accepted at the Hazardous Materials Facility at 3400 S.

Walnut St. Each Freon appliance requires the purchase of a $20 sticker, which is available at the Hazardous Materials Facility at Central Recycling & Reuse. This sticker identifies these appliances and certifies that the customer has paid the $20 disposal fee. This charge offsets the high cost of removing Freon from various appliances. Freon is a hazardous material, and it is a federal law that Freon must be properly contained and disposed of. Stickers may be purchased ahead of time at the District's Administration Office or the Hazmat Facility, located at 3400 S. Walnut St., or online at the District Web site.

Passenger and light truck tires ($5 off rim, $10 on rim, $20 each semi tire, $25 each tractor tire) will be accepted 6660 S. State Road 37 at the Hoosier Disposal Transfer Station only. Items commonly rejected are TV's, computers, monitors, roofing, wire fencing and paint. Please review the list of accepted items on the flyer. .

Elisa K. Pokral can be reached at epokral@mcswmd.org.

For more information
Web site: MCSWMD
Telephone: 812.349.2020