Santa Ana : Expanded Cleanup Campaign Begins Today

The city is gearing up to begin an accelerated cleanup campaign that includes toxic-waste and trash pickups and an expanded street-sweeping program.

The effort will begin today, when large dumpsters will be placed at various locations in residential tracts on or west of Bristol Street, including McFadden Intermediate School, Honer Plaza Shopping Center and Campesino Park. Trucks will collect large trash items thrown into the dumpsters, such as old sofas and refrigerators.

The same program will be offered east of Bristol next Saturday, with locations at Santa Ana Memorial Park; Flower and St. Gertrude streets; Santiago Street and Santa Ana Boulevard; the Sears store at 1716 S. Main St., and the corner of Main and 17th streets. City officials said that some items, such as junk cars, dirt, broken concrete and hazardous waste, will not be accepted.

However, a toxic waste disposal “roundup” will be held today from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1300 S. Grand Ave. Paints, pesticide, acids, drain cleaners and other substances can be dropped off free of charge, although no large-quantity “commercial” disposals will be permitted.

Next Saturday, Santa Ana students will participate in a “Clean Sweep” assault on litter in and around El Salvador, Jerome, Logan, Memorial, Sandpointe and Santa Anita parks. Refreshments will be served and prizes awarded at the end of the event, which runs from 9 a.m. to noon.

The city will also start an expanded street-sweeping program on May 1, when residential areas will be swept weekly instead of the current biweekly schedule. For more information on any of the programs, call (714) 973-6116.