April 13, 2023 |
Photo – Upper Platte River Solid Waste Disposal District Logo – Bigfoot99 file photo
Check the calendar. The time is now for spring cleaning in the Platte Valley. To beautify the area and clean up all the junk that accumulated over the winter, the Upper Platte River Solid Waste Disposal District is offering residents a weekend of free landfill access.
Every spring, the UPRSWDD allows residents of Saratoga, Encampment, and Riverside to bring their non-construction waste to their local landfill and drop it off for free. Upper Platte River Solid Waste Disposal District Chairman Randy Raymer said the event has occurred every year for as long as he can remember.
During the first weekend of May, registered landfill users can drop off household refuse, appliances, tires, and non-functional automobiles at the Saratoga and Encampment landfills for no additional cost. Stipulations apply, however. Residents are limited to four tires, without rims, of up to 18 inches. Junk cars and trucks must be drained of all fluids and have the wheels removed. Also, refrigerators and air conditioners must be labeled as “Freon Free.”
Raymer said removal of the refrigerant used to be a profitable business. Freon has been banned in the US since 2020 and no new appliances have been manufactured since 2010 that use the chemical.
Raymer said people tend to hold onto larger items because they don’t want to pay an additional fee at the landfill. He said the annual Clean Up Days gives residents an incentive to throw away that garbage.
Raymer said to call the UPVSWDD at 307-329-8183 if you are physically unable to haul refuse to the landfill. He said the town’s public works employees will come by to assist.
The annual Clean Up Days in the Valley are Friday, May 5th and Saturday, May 6th in Saratoga. Normally closed on Sunday, Encampment’s landfill will be open an extra day during the Clean Up Days to accommodate residents. Saturday, May 6th and Sunday, May 7th are free for Encampment and Riverside. All construction debris will be charged as normal. The free landfill offer is only for non-commercial items.
