Heidi Plato

Don’t dump it, donate it.

That’s the theme of a collaborative effort between university and city organizations to keep the streets clean during the usually messy time of spring moveouts.

Area residents complained to the City Council after university students moved their refuse onto the street last May, some of it staying on the curb for an extended time because arrangements were not made for it to be picked up. City officials adopted an ordinance this spring giving the City/County Health Department the authority to determine a week in May when students can have daily curbside pickup. During this time, refuse other than what fits in a garbage tote may be set out for pickup.

Last year there were too many incidences in which students left garbage on the curb and didn’t realize they were responsible for it, said Darryll Farmer, director of Environmental Health for the City/County Health Department,

“If we want to be treated like equal citizens, then we should act like equal citizens,” said Sarah Schuh, director of Intergovernmental Affairs for Student Senate.

The ordinance helps students because it gets garbage trucks out when many students are moving out, Farmer said.

On May 18, students can donate instead of toss items by bringing them to the university Water Street parking lot. Students who need assistance hauling large items can call the City/County Health Department before the 18th.

Non-perishable food items will be collected May 18 and distributed to local food pantries.

Between May 17 and noon Saturday, May 26, there will be a daily curbside garbage pickup. Students must make arrangements with their garbage hauler in advance to have their garbage picked up within 24 hours, according to the ordinance.

Microwaves and other hardware will not be picked up.