OAKLAND — Have an extra mattress or couch you need to get rid of? The city invites you and your junk to a series of bulky block parties starting later this month.
“Oaklanders know how to turn anything into a party, and the Bulky Block Party is no different,”Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf said in a statement. “Oaklanders should celebrate that they get to drop off their old mattresses, couches and bulky goods for free, but they should also rejoice that they’re helping to keep Oakland free from abandoned debris.”
At the parties, city workers also will provide information on Oakland’s bulky pickup service, where residents can schedule a free curbside pickups each year.
Though the service is offered year-round and only requires scheduling an appointment, city officials said residents rarely take advantage of it and they hope the parties will encourage more use.
The bulky block parties will be held Aug. 25 at 7101 Edgewater Drive in East Oakland, Sept. 15 at 250 Victory Court in Central Oakland and Sept. 29 on Engineer Road at Wake Avenue in West Oakland. Residents can drop off their junk from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on each of those days.
The parties will have food trucks and music.
“I want to thank the hardworking staff of Oakland Public Works and all our partners for going the extra mile to make the Bulky Block Party a successful event that serves our community,” Oakland Public Works Director Jason Mitchell said in a statement. “We all love a party, but we also love a job well done. With these events, our crews will deliver both.”
Residents will be asked to show proof of residency — such as a bill or piece of mail — before the city disposes of their waste. Businesses are not eligible and hazardous materials will not be accepted.
For more information about curbside bulky pickup service, go to www.oaklandrecycles.com/bulky- pickup-services. Homeowners may contact Waste Management directly to schedule a pickup by calling 510-613-8710.
Renters are also entitled to one bulky pickup each year. They can ask their property managers to schedule a pickup; managers are required by law to provide access to bulky pickup service to tenants. Property managers can also sign a waiver allowing tenants to schedule pickups directly with Waste Management.