Get in Gear for September’s Cleanup Week

By Kim Huff

Time to get rid of that old chair that Uncle Ned crushed, the broken file cabinet, your kid’s iPad with the perpetually black screen, and those toxic chemicals under your guest bathroom sink. During the Great Kensington Cleanup Week, September 22-26, crews will come by on your regular garbage day. This annual curbside collection event offers an opportunity to declutter homes, dispose of bulky items, and safely remove hazardous waste, e-waste, and universal waste, with collection provided by Bayview Refuse Service.
In 2023, Kensington Police and Protection Community Services District Interim General Manager David Aranda and the KPPCSD board of directors set a goal to increase participation and promote waste diversion. While Kensington has long hosted an annual cleanup day each September, the Great Kensington Cleanup has taken the effort to a new level.
The expanded program began when Aranda proposed partnering with Bayview Refuse Service, Kensington’s long-standing waste service provider, to enhance services. The initiative introduced extra assistance for residents, including help moving bulky items to the curb. The result is a larger, more inclusive event that provides more opportunities for residents to clear out unwanted items.
Over the past two years, participation has grown significantly. Greg Christie, Bayview’s general manager, says the cleanup has become one of the community’s most anticipated events. “Each year, we see growing enthusiasm. Residents are not only clearing out household waste, but also taking the opportunity to dispose of e-waste and hazardous materials—items that are often more challenging to dispose of properly,” Christie explained.

He added, “One of the most heartwarming comments we’ve received is, `This event is like Christmas coming early,’ due to the large volume of items being set out for collection.”
The program has been especially helpful for seniors who may have accumulated hazardous waste or bulky items over the years. With the additional support, these residents can now safely dispose of such items without the stress of transportation or logistics.
The Great Kensington Cleanup Week has also had a measurable impact in reducing landfill waste. Over the past two years, the event has collected 219 tons of garbage, 38 tons of scrap metal, 1.5 tons of e-waste, and 20.5 tons of hazardous waste. These results highlight the program’s effectiveness in diverting materials from landfills and promoting responsible waste management.
During the Great Kensington Clean-Up Week, residents can dispose of many materials, including bulky items such as household appliances, furniture, mattresses, and other large objects. Electronic waste such as televisions, computers, and phones will also be accepted. Household waste, including regular trash, recycling, and organic materials placed in carts for normal pickup, will be collected as well. Hazardous waste such as used light bulbs, batteries, oil filters, and paint can be disposed of, although explosives are not permitted.
Participation in the Great Kensington Clean-Up Week is straightforward. Residents should place neatly arranged items at the curb on their regular garbage collection day between September 22 and 26. For those needing assistance with heavy or bulky items, Bayview Refuse Service can be contacted at 510-237-4614 to arrange support. For a complete list of accepted items, visit www.bayviewrefuse.com.