Newtown residents find a place for unwanted items at cleanup

With hurricane season underway, Dion Barnes wanted to ensure some of the items he had around his home wouldn't become debris. 

Instead of being subjected to the force of a hurricane, the materials were being compacted that day, Aug. 23, as they were flung into a large dumpster. 

The Newtown Community Clean Up, held at Newtown Estates Park and Dr. Martin Luther King Way, was among the 10 cleanups that are scheduled annually — weather permitting — by Sarasota County's Code Enforcement Division of its Planning and Development Services department.

“It was a good way to get rid of the bigger things, the bigger debris...” Barnes said as he waited in line. “Today was very convenient for us to come over here and bring it for free.”

According to the county's Planning and Development Services department, precisely 23.99 tons of debris were removed, with 149 tons of debris removed during cleanups this fiscal year to date.

Photo by Ian Swaby

The county encouraged the public to bring household items, appliances, yard waste, junk, tree trimmings, tires and garbage, which was hauled to landfills by vendors FCC and Waste Pro.

On some occasions, the county's hazardous waste team will serve as a partner to take paints, oils, and chemicals. 

The department also wrote that the events are a "positive, pro-active event" that allows Sarasota County to work with residents and provide education as well. 

“This is a wonderful opportunity for the community to coalesce as one, to clean and beautify, because when you clean and beautify an area, it instills community pride," said Darrick Paul of One Check Away, Inc.