What You Need To Know About The Upcoming ‘Spring Clean Up’ In Bangor And Brewer

While this week's forecast may feel more like winter, we can promise you things are in the works for spring clean-up in Eastern Maine.

And with the recent melt of most of the snow in the area revealing the piles of stuff on lawns, in backyards, and along the sides of many a home in Penobscot County, we're guessing a good cleaning and purge is on most of your 'to-do' lists for this coming month.

Read More: Clean It All Out! Think: Habitat For Humanity Of Greater Bangor

While it may seem as easy as raking, piling, bagging, and emptying, there are some rules and regulations about what you can and can't get rid of and where to take or put the things you're looking to get rid of.

Maine municipalities offer limited curbside pick-up, or special dump days through their Public Works Departments. Here are some important details you'll want to take note of for this Spring Clean Up Season in the Bangor/Brewer area.

In the city of Bangor, there's typically a city-wide collection of branches, scrap metal, and brush at some point in the spring months. This year, members of the Bangor Public Works Department will be making the rounds starting at 6:30 AM on Monday, April 27th.

They'll go around the city, collecting piles of fallen branches, woody waste and scrap metal, including things like washers/dryers and charcoal grills.

But there's also a list of things they won't be able to collect.

"Lumber, boards, and demolition debris will not be picked up. If these are mixed in with your branches, the branches will not be picked up...We cannot pick up any items containing freon, anything containing liquid hazardous waste (oil, gas, diesel, kerosene, mercury, paint, etc.), or electronic waste such as TVs, computer monitors, computers, etc. "

They ask that these items be placed along the curb, parallel to your house, by April 27th, as they won't be able to make a second trip this year, so if it's not curbside when they come by, you'll have to transport it to their facility at 530 Maine Avenue on your own.

Brewer's Public Works collection of curbside brush and scrap metal typically starts in April, too. They have not yet posted a date but say they will soon, and advise folks to check their website for details.

They'll also open the landfill to residents to help with Spring Cleaning efforts, but regular disposal fees will apply to all items dropped off there.

"The landfill is open for disposal of compost, brush, and clean metals on Tuesdays and Fridays, 7:30 am to 2:30 pm, from April 1st through the Tuesday before Thanksgiving (November 25th). The remainder of the year, it will be open Tuesdays, 7:30 am to 2:30 pm. The landfill will be open for all allowable disposal item the first and third Saturday of each month from 7:30 am to 2:30 pm year-round."

Read More: A Mainer's Guide To Efficient Spring Cleaning For Your Home

If you're looking to get rid of those old cans of paint, you'll want to make sure you don't put them into the regular trash, as that could pose a hazard to you and to those collecting the trash.

Instead, Bangor officials say that if you're looking to dispose of chemicals like old paints and polyurethanes, you can check out the website paintcare.org for information on a list of drop-off locations near you. It's important that you dispose of these paints correctly, as they can be dangerous and combustible if you don't.

If you're looking to get rid of e-waste, like old computers, word processors, tablets, and printers, the Challenger Learning Center has an E-Waste Disposal Program. This year's event will take place on Saturday, April 18th. For a donation, you'll be able to drive right up to their collection spot at the Challenger Center, 30 Venture Way, and volunteers will unload your car right in the parking lot.

"This event raises funds to help the Challenger Learning Center continue providing hands-on STEM learning experiences for classrooms, families, and youth across the state. We’re proud to partner with community supporter North Coast Services, whose generous support helps make this fundraiser possible."

They WILL accept monitors and TVs, printers/scanners, and fax machines along with CPUs and laptops at this event. They'll also help you recycle your cell phones, small electronics, and items like microwaves.

They will NOT be able to accept things with freon or mercury, like AC units, dehumidifiers, thermometers, smoke detectors, light bulbs, and batteries.

There is a suggested donation to take part in this event:  $10/ first item, $5 each additional.  Accepting cash/checks and cards. Checks can be payable to: Challenger.

There's also the option of disposing of those things by taking them to the Casella's Pine Tree Transfer Station, located at 358 Emerson Mill Road in Hampden, but there is also a fee for that. You can reach out to them directly for more information by calling 1-800-227-3552.