By NEAL WAGNER / City Editor

Alabaster will give city residents a chance to get ahead on their spring cleaning throughout April, as the city hosts its first Clean Sweep campaign.

Every Saturday in April, the city will open its trash facility, which is on Maintenance Drive near the Buck Creek Park baseball fields, to residents to drop off trash items from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. For a full list of items accepted at the trash facility, visit Cityofalabaster.com/departments/public-works.

Each Saturday in April, the city will also host activities designed to help beautify the city. On April 6, the city is encouraging its residents to take advantage of the free drop-off day at the Shelby County Landfill on Alabama 70 in Columbiana, said Clean Sweep organizer and Ward 3 Councilwoman Stacy Rakestraw.

On April 13, teams of volunteers will pick up litter and plant flowers around the city. April 20 and April 27 will bring Alabaster’s first e-cycling days from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.at the Shelby County Instructional Services Center on U.S. 31.

For a complete list of items accepted at the e-cycling day, which is being hosted by the Alabaster-based Girl Scout Troop 146, visit Cityofalabaster.com/residents/2013-e-cycling-event.

Those interested in helping during any of the Clean Sweep events are encouraged to contact Rakestraw at rakestraw@cityofalabaster.com.

Alabaster officials also have provided a list of suggested charitable organizations to help those with un-needed vehicles, boats and recreational vehicles.

The organizations will haul off the un-needed items at no cost, and all items will benefit charities. For a full list of organizations, visit Cityofalabaster.com/residents.