Keep Lincoln County Beautiful officials are gearing up for somespring cleaning around the county beginning later this week.

“We’re doing it in a couple of phases,” KLCB member HomerRichardson said of the annual activity in conjunction with theGreat American Cleanup.

Beginning Thursday, a special Dumpster will be placed in variousparts of the county on weekends in April. Richardson said theDumpster will be for residents to dispose of hard-to-get-rid-ofitems like old televisions and furniture.

“It’s the big yard items,” said Richardson.

From Thursday through Monday, the Dumpster will be at theBrignal voting precinct at the corner of Brignal and Howard roads.Richardson stressed that hazardous materials are prohibited frombeing put in the Dumpster.

Future weekends will have the Dumpster placed at Bogue Chitto,Hurricane Lake, East Lincoln and Loyd Star. Jane Kees, KLCB projectcoordinator, said Lincoln County Solid Waste Coordinator RonnieDurr has been placing flyers in the communities notifying residentsabout the Dumpster plans.

In mid-April, KLCB officials plan to ask for a city proclamationrecognizing the month. Also, Richardson said KLCB will conduct itsannual Gold in the Litter campaign.

“That’s when we make our last big push,” Richardson said.

With the Gold in the Litter campaign, golden eggs are hidden intrashy areas around the county. As an encouragement for people toclean up along roadsides and elsewhere, the eggs contain couponsfor various prizes such as gift certificates to localbusinesses.

Also, Kees said letters are being sent to churches, clubs, civicorganizations and others encouraging them to pick an area to cleanup. She said the Master Gardeners will select an area for itscleanup function.

“We’re going to get as many Master Gardeners there as we can,”Kees said.

Richardson said it has been three years since the county lasthad a Hazardous Materials Disposal Day. He said it costs about$15,000-$20,000 to have one, but the state Department ofEnvironmental Quality has had limited resources to sponsor themaround the state.

Richardson encouraged people with hazardous materials to safelystore them until they can be safely disposed of. He was hopefulKLCB would be able to help in that effort soon.

“We’ve been pushing to have a day this fall, but it justdepends,” said Richardson, adding that is is unlikely due to thestate’s budget situation.