Dowagiac’s annual Spring Clean-up Week is coming up next week, April 19-23.

The city Department of Public Services offers these guidelines for getting rid of that junk you haul to the curb this weekend to be hauled away a quadrant of the community at a time.

All materials must be placed curbside prior to 6 a.m., Monday, April 19.

The following restrictions apply to all disposed materials:
1. Refuse must be neatly placed curbside in an orderly fashion.
2. No refrigerators, freezers or air conditioners will be accepted unless certification sticker is placed on item indicating that  freon has been removed.
3. No household garbage will be accepted.
4. No individual items over five feet long, three feed wide or three feet high and weighing over 100 pounds will be accepted.
5. No automotive/marine batteries will be accepted.
6. No tires or rims will be accepted.
7. No materials that are prohibited from disposal in Type II landfills (paints, solvents, oils, etc.) will be accepted. (Note: Paint cans that are open and contain only dry paint will be accepted.)
8. No propane cylinders will be accepted.
9. All construction/demolition material must be less than one cubic yard in total volume for curbside pickup.
10. No lawnmowers or small engines will be accepted unless the gasoline has been completely drained.
11. Total curbside volume shall not exceed three cubic yards.
12. Windows, glass and mirrors must be less than three feet by four feet in size.
Each street will be scheduled for pick-up one time only.

The centrally located dumpster for Spring Clean-up Week will be at 501 S. Front St. (city warehouse building).

The dumpster will be available for residents on Saturday, April 18, and April 24 from 9 a.m. to noon.

There will be a city employee working to help assist with unloading items. Proof of city residency will be required.

To minimize blight within neighborhoods, debris may not be placed curbside prior to Saturday, April 17. Violators will be subject to penalties prescribed by the city’s blight ordinance.

Property owners will be responsible for clean-up and removal of any remaining debris after pick-up crews pass through their neighborhood.

For questions regarding the spring clean-up program, or to inquire about disposal alternatives, contact the Department of Public Services at 782-8200; or e-mail DPS at DPS_Service_Request@dowagiac.org; or visit the city’s Web site at www.cityofdowagiac.com.

Disposal options
Rohdy’s Heating and Cooling, 29575 M-62 West, 783-0440: Rohdy’s removes freon from refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners. Once freon is removed and sticker is placed on the appliance, the appliance can be taken to the public services warehouse facility at 501 S. Front St. for disposal, or left curbside for pick-up on the dates listed for the program. Freon removal costs $70 per item.

Deerpath Recyclers, 56625 Woodhouse Drive, 783-1247: Price for disposal of tires is $1.25-$15 per tire, depending on size and if rim is attached.

Division Tire and Battery, 313 E. Division St., 782-5141. Price for disposal of tires, $3-$10 per tire, depending on size. Division Tire and Battery will accept batteries for disposal.

Sustainable Recycling Inc., 30750 Edwards St., 782-6177: Accepts batteries for disposal. Sustainable Recycling accepts appliances for disposal. Refrigerators, air conditioners and freezers. A $20 fee will be charged to remove freon. No charge if freon is removed.

For working refrigerators/freezers, you may be eligible to receive a $30 rebate check through the city’s refrigerator/freezer recycling rebate program. For more information, contact Jaco Environmental Inc. at 877-270-3519 or visit the Web site, www.cityofdowagiac.com.

New this year are hang cards detailing why a crew could not take away material placed curbside.