JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- “Operation Clean Sweep,” Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson’s annual cleanup event is scheduled to take place May 1 to 5.
During the event, JBER service members and residents will take part in cleaning the entire installation of trash and scattered waste items that have collected over the winter, said Senior Master Sgt. Kyle Mason, 773d Civil Engineer Squadron superintendent of heavy repair. Army personnel will conduct their cleaning May 8 to 12 due to a scheduling overlap with training.
A unit point of contact will hand out the signature OCS orange trash bags prior to the cleaning event. The orange bags allow for free waste disposal when properly discarded.
Once the orange trash bags are filled they can be dropped off at the large dumpsters and dump trucks located on JBER-E behind Hangar 5, and on JBER-R at 6th and Dyea Avenue, and Quartermaster Road and Richardson Drive, Mason said. Service members can call their unit POC for updates and a full list of dump locations.
During Operation Clean Sweep, units are responsible for cleaning at least 50 feet from the exterior of their assigned building, Mason said. Units will also need to perform necessary landscaping duties to maintain a neat outward appearance.
Remember to always wear the proper personal protective equipment when necessary and safety vests when working near roadways.
During OCS service members will remove all visible trash, edge and sweep sidewalks, remove dead plants, mow and rake (as needed), clean and weed flowerbeds, clean parking lots, fence lines and ditches, and identify and submit work orders for items that need repair or pose hazards.
Lawnmowers and weed eaters can be signed out by facility managers at Troop Issue, but winter items must be returned prior to checkout. To dispose of hazardous material, units can visit the hazardous-waste disposal site at Building 4314.
Units who participate in the Alaska Department of Transportation’s Adopt-a-Highway will be cleaning their designated sections throughout the week.
Aurora Military Housing employees will be doing their part by cleaning residential communities and common areas May 5.
Aurora will be placing large dumpsters at different locations throughout the installation to help residents dispose of large items.
Aurora Housing JBER-E dumpster locations:
Cherry Hill- at the snow dump near the entrance to Cherry Hill.
Sunflower – near Building 4079.
Dallas – community center parking lot.
Silver Run – Aurora Warehouse parking lot.
Chugach – at the end of Wilkins near the basketball court.
Moose Crossing – on Bengak Way near the pump house.
Aurora Housing JBER-R dumpster locations:
Cottonwood – near Building 1368.
Kodiak – parking area near the picnic pavilion.
Moose Haven – between Building 147 and Building 149.
Raven Ridge – on Beluga Avenue and 7th Street.
Puffin Park – near Building 511.
Service members living outside the Municipality of Anchorage have their own resources to dispose of waste items.
According to the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce, Solid Waste Services will accept free disposal of residential waste from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on April 29, and May 6 at the Anchorage Regional Landfill. Loads must not exceed 1,000 pounds and must be properly covered to prevent littering.
“This is our opportunity to take pride in our service and making sure our community looks its best,” Mason said.