438,000 pounds of debris collected during 34th annual $5 Dump Day in South Lake Tahoe
Submitted by paula on Tue, 06/27/2023 - 12:31pm
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - After a long and destructive winter, it was no surprise that $5 Dump Day 2023 was a busy one! Now in its 34th year, Dump Day is a perennial community favorite. This year the event drew 620 cars through the line, and the Clean Tahoe field crew completed 39 curbside pick-ups for senior or disabled residents, with 438,000 pounds of debris collected in total.
Recycling was big during the event, and 88 mattresses, 34,000 pounds of metal, and 2,030 pounds of electronic waste were able to be kept out of the landfill. Iron Mountain provided a truck for document shredding, destroying 3,000 pounds of sensitive documents.
This year the Pay It Forward Foundation covered the cost of the 32 refrigerators that were collected, a huge saving to those needing to dispose of them, as refrigerators are usually $57.60 each to get rid of.
What was the most popular dumped item? Hot tub covers! most likely the snow load from the winter played a part. There was even an entire hot tub that came through the line.
Another great effort at Dump Day: the California Conservation Corp, whose members recovered bikes intended for disposal that were still in good condition, to refurbish and donate to organizations who could provide them free to kids. This is the kind of collaboration that makes our community successful!
Clean Tahoe Executive Director Katie Sheehan said it was great to see everyone cleaning up.
"This event would not be possible without the generous donation of the Vail Epic promise grant, or the wonderful staff at South Tahoe Refuse," said Sheehan. "A big thank you to the Mattress Recycling Coalition for providing an extra truck and some great staff. Thank you, Kiwanis for grilling up your famous hot dogs and burgers. Thank you to the hardworking California Conservation Corps that helped unload vehicles. This event is community at its finest, and would not have been possible without everyone coming together to make it happen. See y’all next June!"