New Baden Annual Spring Cleanup this Saturday

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Written by: Kelly Jo Ross

From couches to other items, residents of New Baden are encouraged to take part in the Annual Spring Cleanup this Saturday at 7439 State Route 160 in New Baden. Dumpsters will be available.    As part of New Baden’s ongoing effort to enforce property maintenance codes and assist residents throughout the village in keeping their properties in good order, corporate authorities are again joining with the New Baden Chamber of Commerce to host the Annual Spring Cleanup.
    The event — which has gone on for several decades — will be held this Saturday, May 2, from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.
    Specific ordinances within New Baden require properties be maintained to the 2021 International Property Maintenance Code as adopted by the Village of New Baden.
    Voluntary compliance is always the focus, but if that is not enough, violators can be fined for every day a violation exists. The Village’s position is to provide the motivation to keep the community violation free, and partner with the Chamber of Commerce to provide a low cost opportunity for residents.
    The Chamber of Commerce's position is to provide the means and the manpower for those residents to rid themselves of the unwanted and unsightly items around their house. The Chamber is responsible for planning the event and providing outlets for the unneeded or unwanted items that are held by residents. Many items are recycled including scrap metal, electronics and tube type TVs. The Chamber coordinates with local recyclers to keep recyclable items out of landfills. For the items that are not feasible to recycle, five large 40-cubic-yard dumpsters are brought in for folks to off load their items.
    Almost any item can be brought to the Annual Clean-up with the exception of liquids. Waste engine oil would be the exception to the liquid rule and can be brought in if it is free of contaminants like gasoline or antifreeze.
    Things such as: mattresses (wrapped in plastic), recliners, furniture, yard playsets, swing sets, basketball poles, trampolines, books, papers, totes, holiday decorations, rock, brick, landscape waste, wood, building materials, limbs, shingles are all taken. Appliances, cars, car parts, tires and scrap metals will enter the recycling stream within days of the event which usually garners 6 to 8 tons of the stuff. Electronics including computers and associated hardware are becoming a larger and larger portion of the event. CJD E-Cycling out of Edwardsville handles the tube type TVs, computer monitors, projection and flat screen TV’s. Organizers remind everyone that due to their size transportation costs and market instability, televisions are subject to an additional fee based upon size and configuration.
    Anything that can’t be recycled must be landfilled which makes up more then organizers prefer because of the costs involved. A gate fee is charged for all items to help defray the costs of the event, which can be substantial considering the scope of the event. Those planning on bringing items to the event are encouraged to load similar items together to expedite off-loading.
    The event is held behind the Lookingglass Township building located at 7439 State Route 160 in New Baden, just south of the railroad tracks, and will be open for business from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m., rain or shine.
    Further information for the event can be found on the Village website at www.newbaden il.com, or by calling the village hall during normal business hours. As with any community event, volunteers are always welcome.