Operation Clean Out the Clutter: Hazelwood Recycles

Sun blazing and sweat dripping has been the theme for the month of June thus far, and hot was certainly the sentiment expressed at Saturday's .

Held at St. Louis Mills Mall, workers and volunteers came out in full-force in the wee hours of the morning to prepare for the event, which began in the parking lot near iceZone at 9 a.m.

“I’m volunteering to help make a difference,” said Hazelwood resident Danny Kendall. “When the event is over, myself and other volunteers will assist with sorting and loading electronics.” 

Distinctly visible, event staff wore the ever-so-appropriate bright green t-shirt, expressing the true meaning of green thinking and community cleanup.

Dozens sat waiting in their loaded cars and trucks as workers and volunteers helped them to unload old electronics and other items to which they wanted to say goodbye. 

The City of Hazelwood sponsored the event in partnership with its as a way to encourage residents to reduce clutter. The goal was to help the environment by recycling things that would normally be thrown out in the trash, eventually making landfill home.

The event called for residents to drop off large appliances and electronics like computers, refrigerators and televisions. Participants were also encouraged to bring clothing and other items that they neither longer wanted nor needed.

Web Innovative Technology Services (WITS) was one of a few vendors onsite to receive the items that could be salvaged. Charles Moore, WITS spokesperson at the event, said the company would break down all of the items to see what works and what doesn’t.

He also said the company, located at the intersection of Interstate 70 and North Broadway, would start the process of  either “refurbishing the electronics or selling off the good parts that still worked.”

Hazelwood resident Mark Evans capitalized on the event as he sat passenger side in his brother Clint's red pickup truck.

“This was a great opportunity to get rid of stuff that I’ve had for years," he said.

“We're dropping off an old television, washing machine and computer monitors that we have had for much too long," Clint added.

Lawn mowers, barbeque grills, printers, and vacuum cleaners were also among the items being recycled. Some recyclables were more than five decades old while others could be considered relatively new.

All-in-all, it was a happy ending for residents who had long awaited an affordable avenue to remove clutter from their homes and yards. The end result: residents made a positive impact in their community by ridding it of a sea of unwanted hardware, wheels and metal.