For the past several years, Collin County has held an annual cleanup day in the spring to provide residents a place and an opportunity to discard refuse. On average, the county collected approximately 326 tons per cleanup day. While a worthwhile effort, having the event for one day was overwhelming. Road and bridge employees would spend the next few weeks literally cleaning up after the cleanup.
 
As the county grows, we need to provide more opportunities than just once a year cleanup days for residents to discard their refuse. This would not only make disposal more convenient, but would hopefully decrease the amount of illegal dumping in the county. In addressing these issues, the commissioners’ court is taking the following proactive approach:
 
First, there will be three sites in the county, which will have roll-off receptacles where county residents can bring their refuse. Two of those sites, in operation now, are located at the Weston (FM 455 and FM 3356) and Copeville Service Centers (Bus SH 78). We plan to have a third site operational in February at the intersection of FM 982 and CR 400 south of Princeton.
 
The sites will be open on Thursday, Friday and every fourth Saturday from 8:00am to 2:30pm. There will be no charge for citizens but proof of residence will be required. Residents will be able to drop off most refuse consisting of general debris, properly drained freon appliances with freon recovery certification, six tires per household per year and boards, tree limbs etc. not longer than four feet. However, household garbage, chemicals, paints, motor oil, batteries and contractor construction debris will not be accepted.
 
We are asking that residents start slowly in their use of these facilities. If everyone tries to take advantage of the program at once we are back to the annual cleanup day problem of being overwhelmed. Keep in mind, these roll-off receptacles will be available nine days each month, so if residents could take their time and pace themselves this will allow us to get the program off to a smooth start.
 
Secondly, we are taking a zero tolerance approach on illegal dumping. Collin County has recently received a grant from the North Texas Central Council of Governments, which will provide each constable’s office with motion activated concealed cameras (cammo-cams) that will photograph illegal dumping. With these photographs as evidence, charges will then be filed with the District Attorney’s office. Laws regarding illegal dumping have been strengthened and now include both misdemeanor and felony offenses.
 
Illegal dumping is a problem across Texas. We hope that these efforts of providing convenient drop offs for county residents coupled with stepped up enforcement of illegal dumping laws will be a positive first step to alleviate this problem.
 
(County Commissioner Joe Jaynes represents Allen, McKinney and most of rural Collin County.)