Earth Angel

The first Operation Clean Sweep for 2020 recently concluded, and the Solid Waste Clean, Attractive Property Service, or C.A.P.S., collected a total of 33.45 tons of waste in collaboration with the Planning and Development Department, according to a news release from the city of Hot Springs.

“On the footsteps of this success, we want to continue to encourage our neighborhoods to be proactive in keeping our town clean and safe. More importantly, in this time of anxiety with COVID-19, we hope everyone can help look out for each other. There are many ways we can help one another keep our community and neighborhoods environmentally safe,” it said.

One small action that can have a big impact is to help make sure items such as disinfecting wipes and disposable gloves end up in the waste receptacles, instead of on the ground. It has been determined that latex/nitrile gloves can, depending on the materials used when creating them, take three to five years to decompose. For disinfecting wipes, the life span for one single wipe to decompose can take up to 100 years, the release said.

Another effort focuses on bigger and broader items. C.A.P.S. is program provided by the Solid Waste Department to city residents who wish to dispose of large bulky items, such as furniture, appliances and even brush under 6 feet in length. C.A.P.S. is very active in helping keep neighborhoods well maintained. City residents who pay the monthly Solid Waste fee receive the first two C.A.P.S. pickups free, up to 1 ton per collection. For more information, visit http://www.cityhs.net/CAPS.

Going along with the efforts of C.A.P.S., property maintenance keeps neighborhoods looking their best. The city of Hot Springs Neighborhood Services are tasked with overseeing the city’s Property Maintenance Codes, which help keep the neighborhoods as safe and environmentally active as possible. Neighborhood Services is responsible for compliance with City ordinances related to substandard housing, vacant structures, unkempt or overgrown lots, trash and debris on lots, abandoned automobiles and graffiti. For more information, visit http:// www.cityhs.net/Neighborhood_Codes.

“Through joint partnerships such as this collaboration between Solid Waste and Neighborhood Services, Hot Springs residents can assist each other to make our community a place to be even more proud of,” the release said.

Last week, the Earth Angels of Hot Springs recycled:

• 142 pounds — Aluminum cans.

• 53,120 pounds — Commercial cardboard.

• 905 pounds — Corrugated cardboard.

• 1,899 pounds — Newspaper.

• 788 pounds — Plastic No. 1 and No. 2.

• 61,560 pounds — Yard waste and C.A.P.S.

Last week, a total of 59.20 tons of recyclable materials were kept out of the landfill.

Collection schedule

• Friday — Whittington/Quapaw-Prospect.

• Monday — Jaycee Park/Oaklawn-Henderson.

• Tuesday — Richard/Airport-Family Park.

• Wednesday — Grove/Files Road-Higdon Ferry.

• Thursday — McCauley-Greenwood.

• Friday, April 10 — Hobson-Plain.