Keeping Lincoln County beautiful is harder than it looks. Just ask the county’s solid waste coordinator, Bob Knight.

After the first round of Dumpster Days ended Saturday at Jack Morris Butane at 1033 Hwy. 84, Knight said people kept dumping at the site.

“The District 1 cleanup ended Saturday evening and the area was cleaned up. Everything but tires were removed. The scum come in after you’re gone and start dumping,” he posted online. “The pictures show why it’s hard to find an area to conduct the event.”

He said people could face prosecution if they are caught dumping illegally.

The annual Great American Cleanup helps combat litter and illegal dumping by allowing residents to get rid of old furniture, broken and out-of-date appliances and other hard-to-dump items for free at designated locations.

The effort continues today with a bin on Industrial Park Road at the old Keystone ball fields. District 3 at Shell Truck Stop at exit 30 is up next from April 18-20; then District 4 behind West Lincoln Grocery on April 25-27; and District 5 at Case Grocery in Loyd Star on May 2-4. Residents can dispose of rubbish at any of the sites.

But only on the designated days. Crews will be available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily to oversee the trash drop-off, Knight said.

“Help is limited so expect to unload your items you bring,” he said.

The disposal event is open to any resident of Lincoln County.

“The city has five chances to dispose of unwanted items through the county’s Keep Lincoln County Beautiful grant,” said Brookhaven Alderwoman-at-Large Karen Sullivan. “I hope our citizens will look around their neighborhoods, their homes and their own yards and conduct a huge spring cleanup while we have the convenience of free disposal.”

The disposal event is possible through a grant from the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, which calls for certain restrictions.  Only non-hazardous, residential rubbish is allowed. No commercial items will be accepted.

Non-commercial tires are allowed, but are not to be placed in the dumpster, he said. Tires are collected together in a spot separate from the dumpster area.

Knight is asking that individuals to refrain from scavenging items that have been tossed. Only those who are disposing of items during working hours are allowed to be in the dumpster area, he said.

Other suggestions from Knight:

• Separate your metal from the trash as it saves time disposing of them.

• Do not bring household garbage such as food and diapers.

• Do not bring construction items that should be disposed of by your contractor.

• Be patient and expect lines.