Add these inside chores to your spring cleaning list

When the coronavirus hit last year were you among the millions who went on a closet-cleaning frenzy? Or perhaps you were in the group of people who tackled long-overdue outside projects. Or both!

Either way, the landfills and thrift stores throughout the nation saw a huge increase in people getting rid of what they didn’t need.

“We had high volumes and long lines at the transfer station in Grays Harbor when (the quarantine) first started,” noted Tracy Elders, office manager at LeMay Grays Harbor.

For those who haven’t taken a trip to the transfer station lately – or have been as busy as beavers and have more to take to the dump – we have good news for many of you.

Many Grays Harbor residents – depending on where you live – have the opportunity to take a load to the transfer station for free!

Now that’s a great incentive to continue your spring cleaning and organizing!

When are the free days to dump a load?

Several cities have made a special arrangement with LeMay Grays Harbor for either a free trip to the transfer station or for bringing their containers to your city.

In Hoquiam, the free days have already passed.

For Aberdeen residents – Your time is now! During the month of April you can bring one load to the transfer station free of charge. Just present the yellow voucher sent to you from the City for a one-ton, one- load limit.

A maximum of four car tires (and no truck tires) can be included, as well as one refrigerator or freezer. No cement, medical waste, asbestos, ammunition or explosives will be accepted.

The Spring Cleanup hours are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

McCleary – On April 24, large containers will be set up in the City of McCleary for residents to use for a free Spring Cleanup day.

Westport – From May 1-31, residents of Westport have Spring Cleanup. During this time, they can have a free trip to the dump for one car or truck load up to one ton. Regular household garbage and hazardous waste are not allowed. Up to four small tires can be disposed of. Charges apply for refrigerators, freezers and large tires.

Cosmopolis – A free trip to the dump for a pick-up load or small trailer size of truck bed is available to residents from June 14-19. Contact City Hall for more information, including how to pick up a voucher.

Each city has a little different arrangement with LeMay Grays Harbor, Tracy said, so make sure to read about your area and call your City Hall if you have additional questions.

Even if you have to pay, it’s a bargain!

Sorry to the folks living outside city limits; it’s been a few years now since Grays Harbor County has sponsored a cleanup for those living outside of city limits within the county. Budgets are tight!

However, while there is no paid-for cleanup day for folks in the county and some cities, we suggest using the spring energy and weather to give your place a once-over and gather up your usable – but not needed by you – stuff to sell or donate.

Then take the actual junk to the LeMay Transfer Station at 29 Gavett Lane N., Montesano for the minimum charge of $11.06 for up to 200 pounds. If you have a lot of stuff to deal with, it’s only $106.77 a ton, with a sliding scale in between.

Transfer station has transferred!

Has it been a while since you’ve taken a trip to the transfer station? If so, you may need to be reminded that it has, well, transferred!

If you noted the address above, you will realize that the transfer station is no longer located at 4201 Olympic Highway in Aberdeen, but has moved to an efficient new facility off of Clemons Road in Montesano – 29 Gavett Lane N.

In August of 2019, the move was made. This new facility includes a transfer station – a place to dump your junk to have it taken away to a landfill out of the area by trucks – as well as a new recycling center.

You can always recycle the following free of charge: glass, bottles only – no window glass or ceramics; tin and aluminum – no scrap metal or paint cans; cardboard, flattened – now wax or poly-coated; newspaper – empty all bags, and discard bags and strings; mixed paper; milk jugs.

However, if you have hazardous waste to dispose of, the place for that is still at the 4201 Olympic Highway location. It is open the first Wednesday and Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.