Greenway volunteers prepare for ‘Dump the Junk, Find the Treasure’ with new hours and 15 dumpsters

The Greenway Open Space Committee reminded residents that the township’s "Dump the Junk, Find the Treasure" event will be held Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with gates closing at 3 p.m. to allow staff to finish incoming drop-offs and transfer salvage to other sites. The committee said 15 dumpsters have been ordered and that Fritz Enterprises will supply a large scrap-metal dumpster.

The announcement stressed volunteer help is needed but not necessarily for the full day: "you don't necessarily commitment doesn't have to be an all day commitment. It's a 9 to 3, kind of a gig," the committee chair said. Committee members described typical volunteer assignments: staffing drop-off lanes, unloading and staging treasures, and tending the dumpster areas.

Why it matters: The event is the committee’s primary annual opportunity to keep bulky waste and potential illegal dumps out of open space and to divert reusable items to other sites. Organizers said this year there will be only one event (normally two), due to bridge closings.

Key logistics and limits: Tires will be accepted if not on rims; concrete or brick must go into smaller containers; large metal items should go into the metal dumpster. Organizers said attendees usually begin arriving shortly before 9 a.m.; volunteers often arrive by about 8:30 a.m. to prepare. Rotary will run a shredding event adjacent to the drive-thru from roughly 9 a.m. to noon. The committee said hazardous-waste vouchers may be available through township coordination and that household hazardous-waste collection for Wayne County is scheduled for Oct. 11 at Taylor (Wayne County) Community College from about 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Volunteers, outreach and access: The committee encouraged volunteers (including school clubs seeking service hours) and said members will try to coordinate roles and staging. Parking is available near the DPS building or, if needed, farther in the yard. The rec department’s Scott Ryan will act as gatekeeper/tally volunteer as in prior years.

Discussion only: No formal committee action was taken at the meeting to change event policy or fees; members reiterated existing event rules and volunteer expectations and asked for help publicizing the event through the township newsletter and social media.

Ending: Organizers asked volunteers and residents to check the township newsletter or the committee’s communications channels for last-minute details and said they would try to post reminders electronically ahead of the Saturday event.