In this month’s issue…
- Residential Trash Guidelines for Residents
- Emergency and Furnace Loan Program Available
- Winter is Cold & Flu Season
- 2013 Holiday Schedule for Trash and Yard Waste Collection
Residential Trash Guidelines for Residents
All single-family residences now using trash carts for service
The City of Lawrence Solid Waste Division collects trash from residential customers on a weekly basis. In 2012, single-family residences received trash carts provided by the city. Guidelines for trash collection are below:
• Set out trash in the cart provided by the city by 7:00 a.m. on your designated trash collection day. Make sure the cart lid is closed. Remove empty carts from the curb within 24 hours.
• Place the cart within 3-feet of the street or alley. Do not block sidewalks or driveways. Maintain a clear path to the cart and keep cart at least 3-feet away from other carts, mailboxes, low hanging tree branches, parked cars or utility poles so trucks can easily access the cart.
• Sawdust, fireplace ashes (cool for one week), cat litter and other loose material must be in sealed boxes or bags and then placed inside the trash cart.
• Place household sharps (e.g. needles) in a puncture-proof container such as an old detergent bottle or coffee can. Secure lid with tape, label the container “sharps,” and place inside the trash cart.
• Do not place household hazardous waste (e.g. paint, cleaners, pesticides) or used motor oil in the trash cart. Call (785) 832-3030 for proper disposal.
• Do not set out yard waste with trash when separate yard waste collection is available; starting Mondays in March through mid-December (weather permitting, except holidays). Yard waste includes leaves, grass clippings, garden waste, brush and prunings from trees and shrubs.
Submit a pickup service request form online at www.lawrenceks.org/wrr/ or call (785) 832-3032 for pickup service information for the following items:
Bulky items — Any bulky item that does not fi t in the trash cart (e.g. appliances, furniture).
Carpet — Limit 8 rolls per household per year. Carpet rolls must be no longer than 5-feet long and must be 18-inches in diameter or less.
Tires — Limit 5 tires per household per year.
Construction, remodeling, or building materials — This type of material must be disposed of in a roll-off box. Fees apply.
All trash needs to be placed in the trash cart for collection. There may be a couple of special occasions each year (family reunion, holidays, etc.) when a household may have an additional trash bag that does not fit in the trash cart. The extra trash bag will be picked up the first time and the second time. During the second overflow event, city crews will leave a tag on the trash cart. The third time, the city will switch the cart for a better size for that household. Call the Solid Waste Division at (785) 832-3032 to discuss any unusual situation.
Trash carts are the property of the city and each cart should stay at the address to which it was delivered. The city is responsible for the maintenance and repair of the trash carts. However, the city will charge the owner or occupant a fee for any necessary repair or replacement due to the owner’s or occupant’s abuse, misuse, neglect or modification of the cart. The replacement fee for each trash cart is $50.00.
To request a different size cart or additional carts please complete the online form at www.lawrenceks.org/carts or call the Solid Waste Division at (785) 832-3032. The new pricing structure will be effective February 15, 2013 to allow adequate time for right-sizing containers. The city will provide one cart size change per address (owner/occupant) per calendar year free of charge. The City will charge a $20.00 service fee for any additional requests to change cart sizes. See back page for the 2013 holiday trash collection schedule.
Emergency and Furnace Loan Program Available
The Community Development Division of the Planning and Development Services Department has funds available for emergency housing repairs. These emergency loans can provide up to $5,000 for emergency repairs or furnace replacement. Eligible improvements include plumbing repairs, roof replacement, electrical repairs, foundation repairs and furnace replacement. These loans are payable when the participant is no longer the owner-occupant of the property.
Basic eligibility requirements are that the recipient must be an owner-occupant of the property for a minimum of one year prior to application, the property must contain only one-or-two dwelling units and the property must be located within the city limits of Lawrence.
Gross family income from all sources cannot exceed the following:
| Family Size | Annual Income |
|---|---|
| 1 person | $40,050 |
| 2 people | $45,800 |
| 3 people | $51,500 |
| 4 people | $57,200 |
| 5 people | $61,800 |
| 6 people | $66,400 |
| 7 people | $70,950 |
| 8 people | $75,550 |
Additional information and application forms may be obtained from Development Services, 1 Riverfront Plaza, Level One, Suite 110, or by contacting Tony Hoch or Jessica Roberts at (785) 832-7700. Information available online at www.lawrenceks.org/pds/.
Winter is Cold & Flu Season
Stay healthy with a few simple steps
Wash your hands often: Keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps you can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. Wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow, not your hands.
Cover Your Cough: Stop the spread of germs that can make you and others sick! Influenza (flu) and other serious respiratory illnesses like respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), whooping cough, and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) are spread by cough, sneezing, or unclean hands. To help stop the spread of germs:
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze;
• Put your used tissue in the waste basket;
• If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow, not your hands;
• You may be asked to put on a face mask to protect others;
• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for 20 seconds; and
• If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
2013 Holiday Schedule for Trash and Yard Waste Collection
Tuesday, January 1st — New Year’s Day
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday residential trash routes delayed by one day.
Monday, May 27th — Memorial Day
There will be no yard waste collection this week. Set out yard waste for collection the following Monday.
Thursday, July 4th — Independence Day
Thursday residential trash not affected
Monday, September 2nd — Labor Day
There will be no yard waste collection this week. Set out yard waste for collection the following Monday.
Thursday, November 28th — Thanksgiving Day
Thursday residential customers living north of 23rd Street/Clinton Parkway will have their trash picked up on Tuesday, Nov. 26th and those living south of 23rd Street/Clinton Parkway will have their trash picked up on Wednesday, Nov. 27th.
Wednesday, December 25th — Christmas Day
Wednesday and Thursday residential trash routes delayed by one day.