FAIRMONT — Fairmont will have a city-wide clean-up Tuesday and Saturday this week through Prairieland Solid Waste Management. Items can be brought to the Martin County Highway Department at 1200 Marcus Street in Fairmont.

“The solid waste program cooperates with the city of Fairmont and we’ve been doing the collections for about 25 years,” said Martin and Faribault County Solid Waste Coordinator Billeye Rabbe.

She said for the last five years the city has given out coupons to city residents with their utility statements. People can use the coupons in order to get rid of certain items.

The coupons can be used other times of the year, but Rabbe said having the set dates in the spring and fall is special because it’s closer for residents of Fairmont, as Prairieland is located in Truman.

“We do two days in the spring and two days in the fall. They can also use those coupons at Prairieland to dispose of the items listed on the coupons,” Rabbe said.

Household hazardous waste is accepted at no charge. Items include latex or oil-based paints, garden products, household cleaners, rechargeable batteries and cellphones.

Coupons can be used on appliances and electronics like refrigerators, microwaves, computers, printers and DVD players. The coupons can also be used on car tires, truck tires and tractor tires. Furniture items like couches and mattresses can also be disposed of for free with a coupon.

Without the coupons, it costs $15 per item to get rid of appliances and electronics and up to $40 to dispose of a tire. Furniture also costs $15 per item to dispose of.

“There’s times where there’s a baby car seat that’s outdated or a mattress people don’t have a way of getting rid of, so people will use the coupons to get rid of that one item,” Rabbe explained.

Rabbe said for household hazardous waste, there’s a minimum charge of $40.

“The household hazardous waste program stops at the end of September. People see this is a one-stop shop, they go through the line, get rid of their stuff and they’re done,” she said.

When asked why she said the city implemented the coupon program and why they’ve kept it up, she said it’s an incentive to clean up and keep the area clean.

“It’s an opportunity for people to get rid of the things they don’t want. We’re glad for the opportunity to get things out of the waste stream. It’s good to have it categorized as something that goes with bigger items rather than your household garbage,” Rabbe said.

Rabbe said anyone with questions can call at 776-3232. She stressed that people should be mindful of the times. Items can be disposed of Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 18, from 9 a.m. to noon.