Getting rid of city trash and junk is free this weekend.
This year’s spring cleaning is organized by the City of Española with help from the North Central Solid Waste Authority
Española was once named the most beautiful city in the state, in the 1970s, according to Municipal Court Outreach Coordinator Richard Marquez. He said he’d love to see Española get the honor again.
“We’re just trying to get everyone onboard and doing cleanup in their area,” Marquez said. “Let’s get out there and clean our yards and our community and do it with a smile.”
Spring and fall cleanups have been an Española tradition since the late 1940s, said Amantes de Flores Garden Club President Connie Bienvenu. She said the cleanups were started by garden club members.
“At first it was just the ladies, and then the trustees from the jail would join us,” Bienvenu said. “One of the groups that has always been involved is Rotary. It’s grown a lot since it first started.”
About 150 tons of trash is collected during the clean-up each year, NCSWA Station Foreman Alex Coriz said. Each year there are usually people waiting at 7 a.m. to get rid of their trash, Coriz said. While getting rid of trash and junk is free, he asks residents to be considerate.
“We try to emphasize that people only make one dumping per household,” Coriz said. “A lot of times, people will stockpile until the free day. We want to give everyone a chance to get rid of their trash.”
There’s also an opportunity for volunteers during this year’s spring cleaning. About a dozen groups from local organizations and businesses will be picking up trash around the city. People who want to help can show up at 8 a.m. at the Española Plaza.
Where to take trash
Dumping is free this Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon at:
La Loma Collection Center, 2009 Industrial Park Road
The lot west of the Bond House, 706 Bond St.
The lot by the Valley Estates entrance (across from Wal-Mart)
How to volunteer
Meet at the Española Plaza, Saturday at 8 a.m. for coffee and donuts provided by the Lovin’ Oven and the Española Valley Chamber of Commerce. Teams will be assigned to areas around the city. Lunch will be provided after the cleanup.