August 24, 2022 |
Rawlins will host the second free landfill days event of the year in September.
Residents will be sent one voucher in the mail. The voucher is good for one free load of residential and demolition waste to be dumped at the landfill between September 1st and the 30th.
The voucher is transferable. If you don’t need to make a special trip to the dump, you can give the voucher to somebody else to use.
The city introduced the voucher system introduced the voucher system earlier this year to curb abuse seen during Free Dump Days in recent years. The one-week event proved so popular that word spread to other communities and people were bringing their trash to the landfill from far and wide. In 2021 for instance, 1,489 vehicles crossed the scales between June 7 and June 13th carrying 487 tons of waste to be dumped.
The mountain of waste did not include household garbage, metal or green yard waste. The five-man landfill crew needed a month to prep for the event, and another crush the 974,000 pounds of materials.
The voucher system combined with breaking the event into two longer windows made the process more manageable and less manic for employees and residents.
The first month-long window to use the “free dump” voucher took place between June 15th and July 15th. The second go-round starts one week from tomorrow.
Landfill and Recycling Superintendent Pat Martinez told Rawlins City Council this year the reasoning behind the dates he chose.
Pictured above: The C&D pit at the Rawlins municipal landfill on the last day of the 2020 Free Dump Days. Photo by Cali O’Hare/Bigfoot 99.
Public Information Officer Mira Miller said the first dump event this summer went smoothly. Miller said the amount of waste collected was down from recent years, perhaps because the system was new.
The slower pace proved to be more pleasant for both landfill employees and residents compared to the mad rush of last year when 200 cars a day crossed the scale, causing lines and long waits.
Miller thought next month’s second go-round with the voucher should see more participation. The vouchers, each good for one free load, will be mailed to all households who pay the monthly landfill maintenance fee as part of their city utility bill. The vouchers can be shared with family, friends or neighbors. Martinez provided an example to Bigfoot 99 earlier this year.
The voucher is not duplicable and cannot be counterfeited easily. A release from the city said the vouchers, printed on postcards, are being sent by First Class Mail and should arrive before September 1st. The postcard must be presented at the landfill to take advantage of the one free dump it allows.
A list of items that can and cannot be dumped are listed on the city’s website.
