Albany leaders want to stash trash

ALBANY — Ward I City Commissioner Jon Howard is organizing a “Stash the Trash” event to clean up litter around the city.

From April 16-21, Howard has arranged for unwanted grass, limbs, leaves, old tires and unused appliances to be included in regular trash pickup. Citizens may place these items in the same place as their wheeled trash bin or beside their Dumpster. This temporary service will be provided at no extra cost.

As for unwanted large equipment, Howard said he has a plan for helping people get rid of those items as well.

“Sometimes you have citizens who can’t lift the heavy appliances, such as old refrigerators,” the city commissioner said. “But if we’re aware of those conditions, we’ll be happy to come onto the property and take it out for them.”

Howard has been a part of beautification efforts in the city — particularly in Ward I — for 20 years.

“This [project] is no different from the other ones. …We want people to take pride in their community,” he said.

Howard said he plans to concentrate clean-up efforts around the Owens Avenue neighborhood. On April 21, he plans to meet volunteers at Bethesda Community Church for litter pickup in that area. Keep Albany-Dougherty Beautiful will provide gloves, trash bags and T-shirts for volunteers.

For those interested, the pickup on April 21 will begin at 9 a.m. According to Howard, posters with more details will be posted around the area that week.