By Linda Dillman
Staff Writer
Dumping trash is not welcome in recycling bins at Canal Winchester’s Stradley Park or in a freestanding recycling container in the public parking lot at the Waste Management facility on Walnut Street.
Despite eight weekly park pick-ups, people are still dumping non-recyclables and bags of recyclables outside full bins on a regular basis, according to Canal Winchester city officials. Anything left outside the bins, even if it is recyclable, is considered trash and dumpers are subject to littering laws.
“I’ve been getting a lot of calls about trash piling up,” said Councilman Patrick Lynch.
Public Works Director Matt Peoples said, as part of the city’s trash contract, Waste Management picks up recyclables twice on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and one time on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
“The bins are only for recyclables,” said Peoples, “like clean boxes and cardboard—not greasy pizza boxes—that are broken down, plastic with a recycle arrow and clean paper. The bins are not dumpsters. We’ve had people dump couches, televisions and tires by the bins. If people see someone dumping items like these, please call Nail-a-Dumper or the sheriff’s office and provide a description and license plate number.”
Mayor Mike Ebert said he is not sure what percentage of bin use is by residents and people living outside the city.
He also reported instances of contractors coming into Canal Winchester and leaving huge boxes that are not broken down left outside the bins.
According to the city’s trash contract, Waste Management will collect bulk items, including carpet cut up and rolled in lengths of four feet or less, appliances with doors removed, televisions, and furniture during regular residential pick-up.
Workers will also pick up mattresses and box springs as long as the items are double-wrapped in plastic and secured with duct tape in order to protect personnel from potential bedbug outbreaks.
With a downturn in the need for recycled glass, Waste Management asks residents to refrain from depositing glass in the recycle containers at either location and place glass items in their regular trash cans instead.
“The recycle bins are being used a lot,” said Peoples, “and most people follow the directions, but there are also a lot that don’t. When they get hot loads (items not considered recyclable) in the bins with stuff, they can’t recycle, so they have to throw the whole load away.”
For information about recycling in Canal Winchester, call Waste Management customer service at 1-800-343-6047.
