April 23, 2014

Tree planting, clean-up and hazardous waste

As published in The Erin Advocate

The first Saturday of May will once again be a busy one, with the annual Clean-Up Day, a Community Tree Planting and the Household Hazardous Waste drop-off happening at the same time.

Anyone interested in helping with the Clean-Up on May 3 should come to the lower parking lot of Centre 2000 anytime between 8:30 am and noon.

“Come on out and meet people,” said David Lyver, a member of the Town’s Environmental Advisory Committee who has been involved in the project for ten years. Groups or individuals can participate, and Lyver is looking for suggestions on which areas could be targeted for clean-up – email: david.lyver@gmail.com.

Participants can pick up clear garbage bags at Centre 2000, go to a clean-up area and work as long as they want, then leave the bags at the side of the road to be picked up. High school students can earn community service hours if they wish.

In the upper parking lot of Centre 2000, Wellington County staff will be set up to process loads of household hazardous waste, including many items not normally accepted at waste transfer stations, on May 3 from 8 am to 2 pm.

At no charge, residents can dispose of paints, cleaners, acids, adhesives, pesticides, garden chemicals, household and automotive batteries, fluorescent bulbs and tubes, mercury thermometers and thermostats, medications, automotive fluids, fire extinguishers, propane cylinders and medical sharps (properly packaged). More details are available at www.wellington.ca.

Also on May 3, starting at 9 am, the Erin Trails group, in cooperation with Credit Valley Conservation, invites community members to participate in a tree planting project.

It will take place in the Deer Pit, next to the Elora Cataract Trailway behind Centre 2000. Training will be provided, as well as some shovels, but people are encouraged to bring their own shovels. It is also suitable for community service hours.