Greenfield
Township Cleanup Day a Huge Success
A
community cleanup day held in Greenfield Township on Saturday, April
27, was a huge success. The event offered residents of the township
an opportunity to dispose of appliances, tires, electronics and other
bulky waste items not normally accepted by trash haulers. Fees to cover
the costs of reclaiming or disposal were charged for some items. Recyclables
were also collected at the township municipal building.
Residents
in cars and trucks began lining up early in the morning of the event,
bringing items to the drop-off site. A steady stream of traffic came
and went, as volunteers helped to direct and unload vehicles. By the
end of the day, the collection event resulted in the following being
collected:
- Nearly
15 tons of tires (enough to fill a 54-foot long tractor trailer and
five dump trucks)
- 200
pounds of aluminum
- 20
tons of other bulky wastes
- Over
225 appliances including refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners,
washers, dryers, stoves, dishwashers, water heaters and microwaves
- Electronic
items including 37 televisions and 12 VCR’s or sound systems in addition
to about 20 computer or office-related items
Organizers
were amazed at the volume of materials collected, but pleased that these
items would not be stored in yards, or illegally dumped in rural areas.
The
event was the result of extensive collaboration between the Greenfield
Township Board of Supervisors and several other organizations and community
groups. PA CleanWays of Blair County and Claysburg-Kimmel Communities
That Care assisted in coordinating disposal efforts. PA CleanWays is
a nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower people to eliminate
illegal dumping and littering.
Communities
That Care involves community leaders, individuals and organizations
in creating a healthier community by providing information, resources,
programs and activities designed to improve the lives of children and
families.
Blair
County Department of Solid Waste and Recycling, Appliance Outlet of
Altoona, Reclamere of Tyrone, Kane Trash Removal of Duncansville, Southern
Alleghenies Transfer Station, Burgmeirs’s Hauling, Pennsylvania Department
of Transportation, Region 9, and Blair Conservation District all participated
in the collection and disposal of waste items or in the educational
outreach efforts prior to the event. Students and advisors from Claysburg-Kimmel
High School Community Service Club formed work crews that went to the
homes of residents who were physically unable to load and bring their
own items.
Additional
volunteers from Claysburg Fire Police and EMS, individuals from the
community, and local businesses helped with and supported the cleanup.
The event was so successful that residents are requesting it be done
again in the future.
