Donate or throw away items amid coronavirus threat? Not a good time. Here’s why.
All this extra time at home has some people in clean out mode, but some of those unwanted items need to stay put for a while.
On Tuesday morning, York County posted information on new social distancing measures at its 16 convenience centers. Staff at the trash and recycling centers will keep six feet between them and residents using the sites. The county asks that people not congregate or socialize there, and bring only items they can dispose of without staff assistance.
County convenience centers are the main disposal service — unless they pay for private pickup — for residents who live in unincorporated areas. The centers also take items municipal trucks may not take, and allow in-county residents to drop off items beyond just the single pickup time they may have in their municipality.
Typically convenience center staff help with trash bags or other items for seniors or others in need, or with bulkier items that may require an extra set of hands. Staff now is directed not to assist with disposal.
The county asks for people to keep items that can be stored — large items, paint, used oil, construction debris, electronics — until after the coronavirus social distance measures pass. The new measures come as more and more people use the convenience centers.
“York County is committed to providing these services to our residents,” said county spokesperson Trish Startup. “The County asks that residents be patient at these locations and understand that the implementation of these COVID-19 mitigation measures coupled with the increased demand may result in longer than usual wait times.”
Goodwill
The county isn’t alone. More people at home means more people decluttering, according to Goodwill Industries. Goodwill sites like the one in Rock Hill are closed, but items continue to appear outside. The Rock Hill store recently had its entrance covered in dropped off boxes and other items.
“As much as we love to accept donations to support our mission, we can’t take them right now,” said Chris Jackson, Goodwill president and CEO. “People are dropping things off and it is not only a health hazard — but the cost to clean this up redirects funds away from our mission, which we know is especially important right now as people are losing their jobs. We are asking people to organize their items at home and have them ready to donate when we reopen.”
Recycling?
Recent changes on how York County residents dispose of items also include recycling. York County no longer takes mixed recycling for now, which impacts residential customers in Fort Mill, Tega Cay and anywhere else municipalities send that material to the York County processing facility. Mixed recycling puts workers in closer proximity than other collection jobs.
York County still takes sorted recycling at its convenience centers. Residents just need to place it there themselves.
This story was originally published March 31, 2020 at 10:12 AM.
