Got junk? City roll-cart customers can take advantage of 1-time service

The City of Sumter's one-time junk removal service is coming up, and to take part, city residential roll-cart customers should place all items in sorted piles by the street by 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 21, for pickup the following week. If you have large, unwanted items in your home and yard you don't want but that can't usually be picked up by the city's trash service, according to the city's Facebook page, "Now is the perfect time to free up some space and give your living environment a fresh start."

Only City of Sumter roll-cart residential customers can take part, and all items will be collected Jan. 22-26.

What you're throwing out must also be separated into piles according to what type of junk it is. There are five categories the city outlined:

1. Cardboard and normal home trash

2. Vegetative debris such as bagged leaves or tree stumps

3. Construction debris and white goods such as building materials, carpet and appliances

4. E-waste such as computers

5. Tires

No hazardous waste, such as paints, cleaners, oils, gasoline, batteries or pesticides, is allowed.

Any items that are not two feet from the street will not be picked up. Junk should be three feet from trees, poles, mailboxes or other structures including fire hydrants, storm water drains and meters. If placed too close, the junk will not be picked up.

The city posted a Q&A section on its website, keepsumterclean.com, to answer frequently asked questions about the new one-time service:

How can I determine my eligibility?

You must be a current city resident and roll-cart customer. On your city utility bill, you will see a line under the description column that reads "RR-Rollaway Residential," which means you are eligible to participate.

Will the trucks collect multiple times during the week?

Yes and no. Different trucks will come to your house to pick up different piles depending upon the separation. Once one pile is picked up, that particular truck will not return to your home. For example, if you lay out five tires by your curb and the tire recycling truck picks them up, they will mark your address as complete. If you lay out more tires later that week, it is highly likely that the additional tires will not be picked up.

What should I do if I miss the pick-up window?

If you miss the pick-up window, you will be responsible for disposing of your large items on your own. As residents of Sumter County, all city residents have access to nine recycling centers and the landfill for disposal.

The city is partnering with a third-party vendor to collect all junk. Visit keepsumterclean.com to learn more about this one-time service.