Council reviews 'Trees for Trash' and community cleanup dates; free landfill day proposed for Sept. 27

Dan Roberts, Sheridan's utilities director, presented the proposed 2025 community-cleanup calendar and Resolution 10-25 at the Feb. 24 study session, asking the council to designate May 3 as the annual Trees for Trash and community cleanup day and Sept. 27 as the fall free landfill disposal day.

Roberts said the city typically couples Trees for Trash (seedling giveaways tied to bringing trash to the landfill) with a community-cleanup effort. "The intent and purpose behind all this and the resolution is to promote and support community cleanup," he said, noting the events are aimed at city and Sheridan County residents and that the county contributes toward disposal costs for county participants.

Roberts provided participation data from recent years and said volunteer turnout and tonnage collected vary depending on whether additional areas are added to the cleanup routes. He said the 2024 spring cleanup had 64 volunteers across 16 groups and collected about 0.68 tons of trash. Roberts said moving the fall free landfill day from October to late September in 2024 produced higher participation because of weather.

Roberts identified Shared Media as the Trees for Trash title sponsor and listed other sponsors including Sheridan County, U.S. Bank and ERA Care Realty. He said the 2025 seedling species will likely include a Nanking cherry.

Council members expressed general support and recalled participating in prior events. There was no formal vote during the study session; the resolution was presented for designation and staff said it will be included in the council agenda process for formal action.