Curbside goods and giveaways among County Earth Week highlights

Prince Edward County is celebrating Earth Day Week with a number of events throughout the community – including the return of curbside second hand items, and giveaways including tree seedlings, mulch and a limited number of composters, as well as the annual Trash Bash event.

On Earth Day, Saturday, April 22, the Owen Jones Memorial Clean-Up Day in support of Trash Bash will see volunteers cleaning up the County. Organized by Evan Nash, participants can pick up bags and gloves from the Picton and Wellington Home Hardware stores. Sign up by visiting or calling Nash at Wellington Home Hardware 613-399-3203, or using this link: https://forms.gle/ZhNXgbKpbeq7iPF57

Trash Bash events are also being held in Belleville, Quinte West and Tyendinaga Township. The County event is named after the late Owen Jones, a tireless volunteer who worked nearly every day to keep Picton streets clean.

Garbage bags from the day can be dropped off at the following locations:
– Picton Home Hardware (also an electronic waste recycling depot) (13544 Loyalist Parkway)
– Midtown Brewery parking lot (266 Wellington Main Street)
– 15 Coleman Street (Ameliasburgh), next to the works garage.
– 2179 County Road 17, Milford

ELECTRONIC and HAZARDOUS WASTE
As well as the electronic waste depot at Picton Home Hardware, there will be a Hazardous & Electronic Waste free drop off from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 75 County Road 1 (Sandy Hook Road).

FREE COMPOSTERS
On Saturday, April 22 from 8 a.m – noon, there will be a limited number of composters given away to the public on a first-come, first-served basis at the works garage at 115 Lake Street in Picton.
Those interested in collecting a composter and who are not participating in the hazardous and electronic waste event can access the composter giveaway from the Ridge Road entrance located across the road from 73 Ridge Road.

A demonstration and home composting guide available for those interested.

CURBSIDE GIVEAWAY
The following Saturday, April 29 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Prince Edward County residents are invited to place free, second-hand items curbside for Giveaway Day.

The County is encouraging residents within settlement areas to place furniture, electronics, tools, etc. curbside for free of charge pick up throughout the day. Items must be removed the next day.

TREE SEEDLINGS GIVEAWAY
Tree seedlings giveaways are also planned for Saturday, April 29 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Delhi Park, Lalor Street, next to the Community Gardens; at the Wellington Community Centre rear parking lot and at the Roblin Lake garage, 13 Coleman St, next to the works garage.

To combat the loss of trees due to Emerald Ash borer, the County has purchased trees from Quinte Conservation and Pine Needle farms. Available trees will include: White Pine, White Cedar, Balsam Fir, Red Oak, Sugar Maple, Silver Maple, White birch, Black Cherry, Black walnut, American Mountain Ash, and Nanny berry.

MULCH GIVEAWAYS
Wednesday, April 26 and Saturday, April 29 from 8 a.m to 4 p.m. (while supplies last), Milford Waste Disposal Site, 1132 Old Milford Road

Bring your shovels and containers and help yourself to as much mulch as you can carry.

Prince Edward County receives a large amount of brush each year from its residents which is converted to mulch and is now provided to residents at no cost. Mulch will continue to be available each Saturday during landfill operational hours throughout the spring, while supplies last.

EARTH WEEK TALKS
A volunteer open house for environmental-based groups and Earth Week talks on compost, wetlands, wildlife and global warming are set for Thursday, April 27 from 4-7 p.m. at the Wellington Community Centre.
A talk about the beauty of composting and a County trees programs update are set for April 25 from 1-3 p.m. at Macaulay Church featuring Lise Bois of the Horticultural Society and Robin Riley, avid composter and County staff.