OLMSTED, Ill (WSIL) —As winter fades and the first blooms of spring begin, so does an opportunity for residents to clear out the clutter. This week marks the return of Olmsted's citywide spring cleanup, a community-wide effort to beautify the village.
Crews have already begun hauling away everything from old furniture to worn-out mattresses.
“We try to keep the town looking nice", says Mayor Curtis Marshall.
Mayor Marshall, spearheaded the initiative to help freshen up Olmsted’s streets and protect property values.
"If people have old tires and old cars in their yard sitting around, it brings down the value of the homes,� Marshall explained.
In past years, the village even launched a "Best Yard" competition to encourage year-round upkeep. But participation has dwindled.
“We even started a best yard project... and we give money for the best yard of the month, but now there's very few people taking part in it". Marshall admitted.
Still, he’s hopeful the spring cleanup will reignite that sense of ownership.
The cleanup officially runs through April 25, but crews will continue collecting items for an extra week.
“Take advantage of it � it’s here for a purpose,� says Marshall.
Acceptable items include old furniture, mattresses, limbs, and general yard debris—as long as it's at the curb.
“We’ll pick up limbs and debris at no cost,� said Mayor Marshall.
However, officials are reminding residents that hazardous materials, tires, and electronics are strictly prohibited.
For a complete list of approved and restricted items, residents are encouraged to contact local officials or visit the city’s .
