Spring is in full swing in Oxford, and for many, that means it’s time for a good spring cleaning – inside homes and along area roads.

Oxford and Lafayette County residents can clear up some space and get rid of hazardous waste sitting around in sheds and garages this weekend.

Three Rivers’ annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day is Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Oxford Conference Center off Sisk Avenue.

The event is sponsored by Three Rivers Solid Waste Management and Planning and Development District; Oxford and Lafayette County, Mississippi State University Extension Service, Mississippi Department of Environmental Services and Lee County Waste Collection.

The event is held annually to keep hazardous household waste from ending up in landfills or other parts of the normal waste stream.

In previous years, more than 600 cars each year have dropped off waste that included everything from TVs to paint to batteries. Those bringing waste to the collection event can pull up in front of the armory and volunteers will unload the items to be dropped off.

“We will unload whatever is the car for people,” said Michelle Robinson, recycling coordinator with the Oxford Recycling Department.

The waste is organized and given to vendors who turn around and recycle the items.

Commercial waste is not accepted, nor is regular household trash or furniture.

Household items that can be dropped off include aerosols, all-purpose cleaners, ammonia, antifreeze, brake fluids, batteries, barbecue lighters, fluid, chlorine bleach, computer/electronic waste, detergents, disinfectants, drain opener, engine fluids, fertilizers, furniture polish, gasoline, gas additives, glass cleaner, glues, herbicides, insecticides, mothballs, motor oil, oven cleaner, paints/paint thinner, pesticides, photographic chemicals, propane cylinder tanks, rodent poisons, silver polish, swimming pool chemicals, stains, tires, toilet bowl cleaner, turpentine, varnish, water sealant, old appliances and old medical supplies.

Other items not accepted at the collection day include sofas, roofing shingles, biological or infectious materials, explosives, radioactive materials or unknown substances.

Free shredding event

Many of us have old tax returns, bills and other papers with sensitive information sitting in boxes in closets or sheds.

On April 21, a free document-shredding event will be held from 9 a.m. to noon at FNB bank on Jackson Avenue.

This second shredding event is sponsored by Keep Oxford/Lafayette County Beautiful and FNB Oxford Bank.

Mobile shredding trucks will be on-site to provide secure destruction of confidential documents.

The event is free and open to all residents; however, shredding will not be available to local businesses.

There is a three-bag limit for individuals.

The free shredding day is in recognition of Earth Day.

Community Cleanup Challenge

A new project coming from this year’s Leadership Class will aim at beautifying Oxford and Lafayette county while incentivizing local youths, nonprofit groups or just groups of concerned citizens to clean up roads within the county.

At the same time, organizers are looking to make the event fun, rewarding for all participating groups, and a valuable opportunity for participating sponsors. Youth community organizations will benefit by receiving funds to support their programs and initiatives. Participating youth groups will pick up trash along designated roadways with the most successful groups receiving prizes.

Organizers are looking for groups to pick up trash from 8 a.m. to noon on May 19. The event will start and end at Bailey Branch Park located across from FNC Inc., located on Office Park Drive. The Leadership Lafayette class is also looking for sponsors for the event that will benefit by having their organizations promoted in social media promotions and marketing materials.

The idea for the project came from Robinson who was selected as one of this year’s Leadership Lafayette class members.

“This is a project I have wanted to do for some time now,” she said. “When I was accepted to be on Leadership Lafayette I thought this was the perfect time to try to make this work. I presented it to my team once we were split up into groups and everyone loved it.”

For more information, contact Robinson at (662) 232-2745 or visit www.facebook.com/oxfordcommunitycleanupchallenge.