Couches are not compostable

Couches are not compostable.

The City of Kimball provides dumpsters to all Kimball residents, both brown from household waste and green for compostable items.

Neither of these dumpsters are to be used for flooring, couches, wood or other large items.

Household waste is anything that one might bag in wastebaskets within their home and compostable material includes grass clippings, leaves and small twigs only.

Many of the items carelessly left in the dumpsters, or next to them, can be taken to the Kimball Landfill free of charge to City of Kimball residents and Kimball County residents who pay to use the landfill.

Free items include appliances, clothing, furniture and household waste that will not fit easily in a dumpster.

When residents use the green dumpsters for items that are not compostable, employees at the landfill must screen the loads and separate them for proper disposal. This costs tax payers in additional man hours and rent for heavy equipment.

One small step each time residents take their trash to the dumpster could save hundreds or even thousands of dollars in the long run for the city and eventually, for consumers as well. Landfill fees may eventually have to be raised to cover the expense as man hours and equipment use are wasted attempting to clean up the mess others leave.

The City of Kimball Landfill is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 in the morning until noon and again from 1 – 3 in the afternoon.