Wausau Large Item Pick-Up Week

Each spring, the city of Wausau, Wisconsin offers its residents a service known as large item pick-up day/week. During this scheduled time, residents have the opportunity to dispose of large items from their homes which would normally be too big for normal trash collection. Items which can be put on the curb for pickup include furniture, cabinets, fixtures, wood, large metal objects, carpeting and more. Items which can not be discarded during this time are tires, computers, televisions, yard waste and any household chemicals or similar products. These items need to be disposed of at the appropriate recycling facility. Even with these minor restrictions, large item pick-up is a very beneficial service which the city offers. It also provides an opportunity for local treasure hunters or "pickers" to get out and look for a little curb side treasure.

Obviously, having the chance to get rid of those unwanted recliners, that 20 year old patio set, or even those large riding toys your children used 15 years ago is a benefit. With no cost attached, being able to dispose of these large items once a year is a blessing for many residents. Families clean out mattresses, toilets, shelving and even such things as old hot tubs. However, what one family sees as junk or no longer needing, someone else might see as a prize. Generally, when the city comes around to pick up what is left on the curb, what is left is really useless, totally worn out, or just complete junk. Almost everything that seems to have some value has probably been taken by one of the many pickers driving around town scouring his neighbor's curb side ejections.

And is there really treasure to be found? Well, many of the pickers take any and all metal they find to cash it in at the recycling plant. Shelving, fencing, even things like old swing sets may be scrapped for some extra cash. People who restore furniture also can find some real loot. Dressers, chairs, dining room sets and desks of all shapes and sizes often are curb side finds. For people who do restoration or can do a little fixing there are some real finds. Other commonly disposed of items that seem to disappear quickly includes bikes and children's toys. Many of the bicycles have simply been outgrown or have sat so long they aren't in working order. However, with a little cleaning and maybe a new part here or there most of these bikes are fine. Children's play equipment also seems to go fast. Again, either it has been outgrown or may have some wear, but usually it gets picked by someone who can use it or thinks he can fix it. Finally, there are those people who pick items off the curb out of need. Sometimes one might find something on the curb that is better than what one has in his or her own home. Sometimes people take things because they can't afford to buy them. And sometimes people take items because they need them for parts. Whatever the case may be, during the large item pick up week, there is seemingly no end to the cars and trucks diving around town with their trailers looking for that big find.

In Wausau, Wisconsin, large item pick-up week has become a serious annual event. In addition to providing a great service to the residents, it offers a chance for many items to be recycled or to find a new home. The pick-up not only benefits the people who are able to clean out their houses and the people who are able to find some new items for their own use, it also benefits the environment as many of these items find a new home rather than being dumped in a landfill.