Durango‘s annual spring cleanup hauls off a lot of trash, furniture and appliances which otherwise would accumulate in backyards and garages. It is not difficult to imagine that without the city’s front-end loader and trucks, some residents would be stuck with broken and out-of-style items out of place for years. Not everyone in Durango has a pickup – really – and there are at least modest landfill fees.
The cleanup occurs during four weeks beginning with the second week in April. On Friday, May 3, it is complete. One week is devoted to each of four geographical areas – one includes Three Springs – and the city promotes the dates and what items are acceptable.
But some – many? – residents either do not know when their geographical area will be picked up or do not care. They put their trash at the curb a couple of weeks early, during the second half of March, sometimes long before the fourth and final week of cleanup.
At too many addresses, this is not a time Durango looks its best: a couch, refrigerator and blowing Styrofoam curbside detract from greening lawns and early blossoms.
What do real estate agents tell prospective purchasers from out of town? Avert your eyes, it will soon be over?
Some might say the lengthy multi-week curbside availability of unneeded items gives those who might have a use for what is at the curb the opportunity to make their selections. Better to make it possible for those bookcases, camping tents and kitchen pots and pans to have a second life, sometimes aided by a flea market display. But our experience is that those who search for usable items work quickly; curbside items of value may be only at the curb for an hour or two. There is no need for extra weeks.
Perhaps next spring, something can be done to shorten the time curbs have their trash piles on display. We do not favor ticketing those who jump the gun, but perhaps some shaming is possible. An app which lists the addresses of the early trash-pilers?
The city’s spring cleanup is a worthy undertaking, which we appreciate. But there must be a way to shorten it to a few days prior to an area’s pickup rather than have it extend in some locations to a month or more. Are we capable of that?
