Because of an overwhelmingly positive response to the City of Independence’s free dumpster initiative “60 Days to a More Beautiful Independence,” the city is extending the program an extra month. The program provides free dumpster access for city residents each weekend at six alternating neighborhood location throughout the community. David Cowan, the city’s director of Safety and Code Enforcement, reports nearly 27 tons of waste have been collected in the first six weeks of the program. He said city staff views the response as a huge success and a positive first step toward accomplishing the objectives of the city’s recently adopted community based strategic plan, which includes a key initiative established to address beautification.

 

“The dumpster program and the incredible amount of participation we have seen so far represent a win-win for residents and the city organization,” Cowan said. “It’s great to see residents taking pride in their properties and helping maintain a safe, beautiful and inviting community.”

The task list under the “Beautification” initiative in the strategic plan includes:

 

• Setting aside more budget and time for abandoned house removal;

• Adjusting trash pickup schedules to allow more resources for other pickup operations;

• Expanding the city’s partnership with LOVE Independence Day; and

• Neighborhood beautification through code enforcement.

   

To address the code enforcement objective, recently hired Code Enforcement Officer Mark McCleary is orienting to his new position and evaluating both commercial and residential neighborhoods throughout the community to identify properties in need of attention to bring them into compliance with safety and environmental codes. Over the next few weeks, Cowan said, McCleary will work to contact property owners with courtesy notices in hopes they will take action to correct problems before enforcement becomes necessary.

 

In addition to the dumpster program and code enforcement efforts, the city also has indefinitely expanded its weekly recycling collection to receive tires, appliances, furniture and other such large waste items at the City Sanitation Yard at 21st & Maple. These hard-to-dispose-of items can be dropped off at the yard each Tuesday between 11am and 1pm.

 

The neighborhood dumpster placement schedule for the remainder of the program is as follows:

 

April 19; May 3, 17 and 31:

 

• 13th & Walnut
• Burns & Walnut
• Park Blvd & Sycamore
• 900 W. Laurel parking lot
• 11th & Catalpa
• 21st & Taylor

 

April 26; May 10 and 17:

 

• Penn & Poplar
• 19th & Poplar
• 6th & Myrtle parking lot
• 900 W. Laurel parking lot
• 5th & Oak St.
• 11th & Catalpa

 

Questions or concerns may be addressed to McCleary at markc@independenceks.gov, or call (620) 577-7117 or (620) 714-1758.