BROOKINGS — It’s time to think spring — and spring cleaning. The city’s Bulky Item Pickup is back to help residents clear their homes and yards of bulky items that have outworn their welcome.

The Spring Bulky Item Pickup program is available to city residents only; it is not available to commercial businesses. The program provides residents with an opportunity to dispose of large bulky items and large branches that do not fit in collection carts. Small items that fit in the garbage, recycling or yard waste carts should be placed in their appropriate carts, not placed in piles on the boulevard.  

Key dates

• April 9: First day to start placing items on boulevards.
• April 13: Last day to separate and place items on boulevards.
• April 14: City crews will begin pickup.
• April 14– 19: Free dumping for city residents at the Brookings Regional Landfill from 7:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8 to 11:45 a.m. Saturday.
• A photo ID or utility bill will be required to prove city residency for free dumping.
• All loads must be covered or a $25 fine will be assessed.
• A fee will be charged for tires and items containing Freon.

Real-time tracker

Residents can follow a real-time tracker to see block-by-block updates showing where crews have collected and where they are working. Residents can access the tool at www.cityofbrookings-sd.gov/cleanuptracker.

Crews from the City’s Public Works Department and the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department collect and dispose of items placed on the boulevards.

Guidelines

Households must follow the guidelines and timelines for their materials to be picked up. All items must be separated and placed on boulevards, even if snow is present. Crews will canvas the city one time only. There is no alley pickup. People are asked to refrain from parking in front of piles during the pickup period.

The City’s landfill regulations and recycling policies require that items placed on the boulevard be sorted. Residents should separate items into three distinct piles: metals, branches and bulky items. Separate piles 4 feet apart and 4 feet from any utilities.

Household refuse should be placed in residents’ green garbage bins. Cardboard should be flattened and placed in residents’ blue recycling carts. Grass, leaves and twigs should be placed in brown yard waste carts. Curbside yard waste pickup will begin April 1.

Tree branches

Branches should be placed lengthwise on the boulevard parallel to the street. Tree trunks and branches must not be more than 12 inches in diameter and 6 feet long. Residents will be able to drop off branches at the landfill’s Citizens Campus 24/7 beginning April 1.

Items not accepted

Paint, batteries, waste oil, chemicals, electronics, and explosives are not accepted.

Items that will not be picked up

The following items will not be picked up as part of Bulky Item Pickup.

• Household refuse: Place in green garbage cart.
• Cardboard: Flatten and place in blue recycling cart.
• Grass and leaves: Place in brown yard waste cart or haul to the landfill.
• Piles of mixed materials not sorted by type.
• Remodeling material and concrete.
• Tires: Haul to the landfill. A fee is charged based on the size of tires.
• Items containing freon: Haul to the landfill. A fee will be assed for items containing Freon (such as refrigerators, freezers, dehumidifiers and air conditioners).

For more information, visit https://cityofbrookings-sd.gov/BulkyItemPickup or call the Brookings Regional Landfill at 605-693-3667.