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Community Comment: Cancel clean-up? Forever? Say it ain’t so!

But replacing spring clean-up? Forever? Please say it ain’t so…
Spring clean-up column
Optimist community columnist Brad Sherwin is sorry to see the annual spring clean-up has been cancelled and will be replaced with a new program by the City of Delta.

Spring clean-up has been canceled this year, as it was last year, for obvious reasons.

Council has decided to allow for large item pick-up program in its place, where you can arrange for up to six big things, such as a mattress, a couch or an appliance, to be disposed of for free.

Yes, it’s more flexible, come and take this thing, at my convenience, so I don’t have to store it until next April. Plus it saves me the headache of trying to figure out how to get rid of it, whatever it may be.

But replacing spring clean-up? Forever? Please say it ain’t so…

For many, spring clean-up is an event. We spend weeks deciding what will end up at the curb (or in some cases it’s a quick realization), where a steady stream of slow-moving cars pass by to see if there’s anything salvageable.

I’ve heard of people who pick up old bikes and harvest for parts to make a new one for someone deserving. I have a neighbour who collects wheels and metal tubing. He makes amazing contraptions out of it, including a trailer for a friend’s kayak. Many find other treasures to take home, repurpose or save until next spring, where it ends up on the curb again. It is the largest, most efficient recycling program around.

A few years ago, I pushed out an old, rear projection TV, having finally replaced it with something new. I could have taken it to the recycling depot, but wanted to see if anyone else could use it. Sure enough, someone came by and told me the new TV’s didn’t have the connections for his son’s video games. Here’s the power cord, here’s the remote, and can I help you load it in your truck? Otherwise, it’s at the recycling depot, being dismantled, instead of being used and appreciated by someone else.

For smaller stuff, today’s options are donating to the thrift store, or my new favourite thing, Varage Sale. It’s like an online garage sale, but faster to search through. I’ve picked up a few great items from there.

But it’s not the same. As soon as it’s safe enough, spring clean-up will bring us out of our homes and give us another reason to re-connect, after this long, dark period in our history. It’s the sign of better weather to come, and better days ahead, and back to something normal. It’s so much more than just chucking out your crap.

Please let us celebrate spring clean-up 2022. It’s part of the soul of Delta.

Hey, look, a garden hose! I can fix that…

Brad Sherwin, MBA is a long-time resident of South Delta, and has over 30 years’ experience in marketing, public relations and business strategy. He teaches Marketing at Douglas College, coaches hockey goalies and is Past President of Deltassist.