By BRAD GASKINS / Staff Writer

COLUMBIANA – A “Free Day at the Shelby County Landfill” is scheduled for Saturday, April 9.

From 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Shelby County residents can dispose of yard and household debris at no charge.

“The County Commission decided several years ago they’d give people the opportunity to do that, just to try and keep litter from being dumped all over the roadway and on other people’s property,” said Robert Kelley, manager of the Shelby County Environmental Department.

The landfill is located at 4154 Alabama 70. Two free days are held there each year, one in the spring and one in the fall.

“It does help,” Kelley said of the free days. “That gives them two opportunities to get rid of a lot of stuff.”

Typically, Kelley said, more than 800 vehicles visit the landfill on a free day. On the last spring free day, in April 2010, county residents dropped off 610 tons of debris.

It’s not uncommon for those dropping off debris to have to wait 15 or 20 minutes to unload it, “so please be patient and respect others,” Kelley said.

Also, Kelley said, residents should cover and secure their loads for the drive to the landfill to keep debris from blowing out on county roadways.

Those hauling commercial, business or out-of-county debris will be charged the usual rate.

For more information, contact the Shelby County Environmental Office at 669-3737.