Great American Clean-up on tap
By Nathan Straus News Reporter

It's almost time for the Great American Clean-Up, where citizens of Chandler and the surrounding community will bring items collecting dusts in attics, basements and garages around town to the Henderson County Courthouse Annex building in Chandler. This building is located at FM 315 south.

The cleanup will last from 8 am to 1 pm on Saturday, April 5, and is part of the "Don't Mess with Texas Trash-Off". Easily the largest litter prevention event of the clean-up, the trashoff draws over 55,000 volunteers around Texas, and is the largest one-day clean-up event in the state.

Keep Chandler Beautiful, a Keep Texas Beautiful affiliate, will help coordinate the Chandler collection effort.

Rick Ford, president of KCB, said the event has grown in popularity.

"It seems to be getting bigger each year," Ford said. "We started a few years ago with two dumpsters and now we are easily filling four or more."

Each dumpster KCB uses has a capacity of several tons.

"We've seen a little bit of everything brought in over the years from Chandler and the surrounding area," Ford also said. "Nothing surprises us any more."

Sanitation Solutions will assist with the pickup. The entire community will also become involved with the endeavor, from church groups to volunteer clubs.

The clean-up event is part of an annual effort, and there is no charge for trash collection.

Not all items will be accepted, however. Do not bring liquid paint, tires, batteries, trash or garbage, hazardous waste such as pesticides, or electronics. Paint cans with only dried paint are acceptable. Refrigerators with the Freon elements removed may be brought as well.

Ford said items such as full boats and cars have been brought in before.

"We've picked up about 15 tons on average these past few years," Ford said. "It's a pretty big deal; several hundred come in, with some making multiple trips."

Ford also said the event will not be cancelled due to just rain, but might be postponed if weather is extremely poor.

This will be the clean-up's eighth year in Chandler.