They came in cars, pickup trucks, and even vans to John Thurman Field on Saturdays to dispose of broken sofas, unwanted TVs, broken laptops, and other household debris for free.
Modesto’s first “drive-and-drop-off” event was a huge success, with Bertolotti Disposal, one of the city’s trash haulers, hauling out about 36 tons of bulky goods and trash, according to the city. spokesman Andrew Gonzalez said. The resident also unloaded his 248 mattresses and box springs for recycling.
“They had a lot to bring back,” Gonzalez said.
A number of televisions, printers, laptops and other electronic devices were not available. They are processed by another recycler.
Gonzales said 336 vehicles unloaded furniture, washers and dryers, televisions and other items into the parking lot of John Thurman Field, the city’s ballpark in western Modesto.
He said the event was scheduled from 8pm to noon and the city and one of the city’s event partners, Caltrans, extended it until 2:30pm, but still had to turn back 70 vehicles. I had to.
The event is aimed at Modesto households and focuses on residents of apartments and other multi-family dwellings, which city officials say may be responsible for much of the illegal dumping of household items.
Furniture, appliances, and similar items can be left on the curb for pick-up twice a year, unlike for single-family residents, but Modesto is bulky for multi-family residents. We do not offer an item pick-up program.
The California Department of Transportation is covering the cost of Saturday’s event, and Modesto plans to ask Caltrans for additional funding, Gonzalez said. He said the city doesn’t have the funds to pay for these events.
Modesto Bee photographer Andy Alfaro contributed to this report.
This story was originally published June 30, 2022 at 6:00 AM.
