This past May 20 and 22, Clarendon Hills had its annual garbage amnesty pick up. It’s the one week of the year where residents are allowed to throw away as much as they want (within certain limits on some items). Starting early on Sunday, the “garbage” began to collect along the roadway shoulders. By noon, the pickers descended onto Clarendon Hills to pick up items that can be reused or resold. This lasted until dusk and beyond providing for the heaviest traffic day of the year in town.
Fact is that garbage pickers provide a positive ecological impact by “re-using” items that residents have deemed to be of no use to them. Re-use is better than recycling and is only eclipsed by reducing. So a hearty thumbs up to the garbage pickers that pick up at least 50% of what is placed at the street on Garbage Amnesty Day. Many of these pickers aggregate all of the items found and resell them at garage sales in other neighborhoods or at resale shops.
I have also wondered whether this day is just a service that is provided by the Village as a part of the contract with Republic Waste or if it’s a subliminal way of getting people to de-clutter their homes. I think it is both a convenience and a safety item. For many people, throwing things out can be difficult, except when it’s free to do so. Items that cluttered up attics, basements and garages have been removed. Ultimately, while I believe there are safety advantages associated with de-cluttering, the Garbage Amnesty Day is really just a negotiated perk for residents.
The following communities have/had Garbage Amnesty Days with Republic Waste in 2013:
Village/City Date (2013)
La Grange Park March 21
La Grange April 8 – 11
Elmhurst April 24 – 26
Western Springs May 4
Clarendon Hills May 20 – 22
Downers Grove September 30
I really think there is value in the Garbage Amnesty Day in many ways: for the Homeowner, the Pickers, the Village and the Planet. I can’t wait till next year already!!!!
Comment back on what was the craziest thing you saw on the street this past month.
Come visit my blog at janmorel.wordpress.com for more articles and posts about western suburbs events and real estate.
