Ever purchase a home and the previous owners leave behind unwanted belongings? Need to clean out an outbuilding? Do you have left over yard sale items? I’m sure most of us, at one point of time or another, have “stuff” we just need to get rid of. Unfortunately our county was not able to offer a day to “haul” these unwanted items away. This doesn’t mean you still can’t do some tidying up around your home.
The Department of Environmental Protections (REAP) Program provides tools and services to help West Virginians manage their garbage. West Virginia law requires that your garbage pickup service include monthly removal of oversized items.
These items include: refrigerators, washing machines, clothes dryers, dish washers, stoves, microwave ovens, televisions, home computers, air conditioners, bicycles, furniture, waste tires off the rim (16.5 inches or less) and any other items at least three feet in length, width, or height or at least 50 pounds in weight.
Waste Management has a bulky goods policy in place. Bulk pickup days are scheduled per county. Clay County’s pick up date is the 4th full week of each month. You must call Waste Management customer service department (1-800-834-5019) one week prior to your bulk pickup so they can schedule workers and equipment to appropriately handle the items being picked up. Customers are entitled to two large items per month at no charge. Bulky items do not include yard waste, tree stumps, trimmings, construction or demolition material, flood or fire debris, carpeting, remodeling waste, auto parts, or any non-household items.
Waste Management also provides collection of waste tires off the rim. Tires may have a radius of no more than 16.5 inches. There is a limit of 2 tires (without the rim) per quarter with a maximum of 8 tires per calendar year per customer. You must call customer service prior as well.
Remember paint, oil, chemicals, pesticides, gasoline, free flowing liquids, batteries, mercury containing thermostats, glass, and any substance defined as hazardous waste by any West Virginia DNR or EPA listing will not be accepted by any waste service. West Virginia has revised its guidelines for the Free Day residential waste disposal program at Landfills around the state to protect public health and ensure the safe transportation of waste on the state’s highways. While residents may continue to dispose of waste in local landfills free-of-charge one day each month, the amount the residential solid waste will be limited to 516 pounds. Loads must be tarped and residents must show an I.D. for proof of residency. The free Landfill day is the second Wednesday of each month.
Proper solid waste disposal is required by law. Failure to subscribe to commercial garbage pickup or to show proof that you are disposing of your garbage is illegal. If convicted, violators are guilty of a misdemeanor and can be fined up to $1,000 and required to perform up to 40 hours of community service picking up litter.
According to the Department of Health and Human Resources, West Virginia has one of the highest instances of Lacrosse Encephalitis and West Nile Virus in the nation. Each of these diseases is primarily spread by mosquitos. Waste tire piles, even those containing a few tires, pose a hazard to public health. They collect standing water and create breading sites for those insects. Dispose of tires promptly and properly.
The Clay County Health Department will be hosting Family Planning/BCCSP clinic June 30, 2014 from 8:30 am – 2:00pm. Free sports physicals will be given June 30, 2014 from 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm. Shingle shots are still available. You must be 60 years of age or older. The fee is only $15.00. Feel free to call 304-587-4269 for any questions or concerns.
Information for this article comes from www.wvdep.org and Waste Management annual customer letter.
