Auburn Public Works employees Garrett Whelan, left, and Ryan Pratt toss debris into a bucket loader during the 2019 bulky waste pickup in Auburn. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal 2019 file photo

AUBURN — The city’s biennial bulky waste pickup will occur in May, giving residents the opportunity to dispose of materials not normally picked up during weekly solid waste collection.

The pickup will run from May 3 through 10, depending on when each household normally has waste collection.

As usual, city staff has issued an announcement with eligible materials, along with a reminder that scavenging is not allowed. A city ordinance forbids it.

According to the announcement, residents with Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday waste collection should have materials roadside no later than 7 a.m. Monday, May 3. For residents with Thursday or Friday collection, bulky waste should be roadside by 7 a.m. Monday, May 10.

The city is asking that materials be separated by type and placed in neat piles, and should be separated from normal household waste. No more than one truckload of materials will be collected per residence, and residents should keep all material off the sidewalks.

“Crews will remove waste on a street-by-street basis and will not return to a street once waste material has been removed,” the news release said.

In addition, from May 1 to 15, residents may bring bulky waste materials (excluding brush and tires) directly to the Maine Waste to Energy facility on Goldthwaite Road free of charge. Participants must show proof of Auburn residency. Maine Waste to Energy is open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 7 a.m. to noon Saturday.

The release said it is against city ordinance to scavenge through piles of debris put curbside for collection. If caught, it is punishable with up to a $1,000 fine.

“Anyone observing this activity is encouraged to report it to the Public Works Department at 333-6670,” it states.

Materials eligible for collection:

•  Brush (must be placed with the butt ends facing the street in a neat pile; no more than a pickup truck load will be collected; additional brush can be brought to the Public Works Facility on Gracelawn Road)

• Furniture

• Rugs (must be rolled and taped)

• Mattresses and box springs (limit of six combined)

• Tires (limit of four)

• Metals (excludes large auto parts and metals containing hazardous materials)

• Propane tanks

• White goods (washers, dryers, refrigerators, small appliances)

• Televisions (televisions can also be brought to the Public Works facility anytime for free disposal)

Materials that WILL NOT be collected:

• Paints, oils, cleaners, gasoline

• No liquids of any type

• Wood waste, including construction and demolition debris

• Sheetrock

• Shingles