Spring Cleaning, Darien Style

Forget robins. Darien's sign that spring has arrived is the annual ritual of hauling our junk to the curb for pick-up by the town.

Pick-ups start March 15 north of the railroad tracks and March 22 on south side of town.

"We'll probably collect 150 tons this year," says Department of Public Works Director Bob Steeger.

According to Steeger, the cost averages out to 73.5 man-days and involves a loader and five trucks. The town then pays almost $75 a ton to have the trash removed from the transfer station (fondly called "the dump.")

Do the math and you'll realize this spring ritual doesn't come cheap.

What You Can Junk at the Curb

Cast-offs include bulky appliances, heavy furniture and metal (which should be piled separately). But people also kick to the curb portable household items like toys, housewares and even books. 

Almost anything goes, but there are a few no-no's:

• No paint cans, hazardous waste, propane tanks, chemicals or batteries
• No sheetrock, yard waste, batteries or TV's
• Refrigerators, air conditioners and dehumidifiers require a $15 sticker to cover the cost of capturing the refrigerant chemicals

For the full list of what's allowed and what isn't, click here.

Trash Picking

Darien's known for having some pretty classy trash. Once it's curbside, folks from far and wide descend on town looking for freebies.

Trash picking is entirely legal.

"We get a few more suspicious vehicle complaints (during trash time)," says Darien Police Chief Duane Lovello. "But we also get residents complaining about each other, piling one person's trash on another's lawn."

Lovello warned residents to be careful about what they throw out, regular garbage as well as spring pick-up. Once trash is curbside, it's deemed abandoned.

"People can steal your garbage and find all kinds of documents for identity theft," said the chief.

He advises shredding all documents that might contain personal information.

Visual Pollution?

Some oppose the spring pick-up, feeling the piled up junk creates a trashy appearance just the as trees are flowering. 

Others wonder if it's worth the expense. Darien doesn't pay for removal of leaves in the fall, as Stamford does, so why pick up junk?

Not everyone is young or strong enough to do it themselves, according to former Selectman Linda Santarella, now serving on the Police Commission.

"I have always supported the spring trash collection, especially for the elderly. It's a real town service," she said.

Swap versus Trash

This year there's a new alternative to the curbside ritual that may reduce the town's trash load, save tax money and improve recycling: the Swap Shop.

Opened at the dump just before Christmas, the Swap Shop is like a never-ending tag sale where everything's free. On an average day you'll find old TV sets, kitchen appliances, books, furniture and more.

Trading items at the Swap Shop also saves the town a lot of money.

"I would estimate we're saving eight to 10 tons of garbage a week thanks to the Swap Shop," says DPW's Pat D'Arinzo.

D'Arinzo often devotes his lunch hour to tidying the Swap Shop, arranging the donations and sending unwanted items to their final resting place in the dump.

 "Books go quickly. The Smith College Book Sale carried away a few boxes full last week." said D'Arinzo. 

Also helping to reduce the waste stream is a new trailer for recycling e-waste (except televisions), located at the top of the dump. Used clothing goes into Goodwill bins after a day or so at the Swap Shop.

As you do your spring cleaning this year, think beyond dumping your unwanted stuff curbside.  Your junk could be a neighbor's treasure.