Illegal dumping will compromise Peabody yard waste burn pit
Peabody city employees spent a good portion of a day this past week picking up and hauling away illegally dumped material from the city burn pit on South Olive.
"Only yard waste, tree limbs, and clippings are allowed at the burn pit," said Darren Pickens, Peabody city superintendent. "We picked up metal, lumber, and a large aquarium that had been dumped."
In addition, city employees took time from their regular work schedule to load the illegal materials and haul them to the transfer station in Marion.
Kansas Department of Health and Environment allows communities to maintain a burn pit for the purpose of disposing of organic material such as grass clippings and tree limbs. However, KDHE absolutely prohibits the dumping of household goods, garbage, lumber, and metal.
"If those kinds of things are in the burn pit and someone from KDHE drops in for an inspection, they could demand we close the burn pit," said Pickens.
According to Benbrook residents then would have to haul their own yard waste and tree limbs to the transfer station in Marion for disposal.
"The burn pit is available as a service to the community," he said. "If it becomes a problem and KDHE says 'close it,' dealing with grass clippings and such will be a bigger headache for residents. Also the burn pit is free. Driving to the transfer station every week or so will be costly."
For more information about what is acceptable to dump at the burn pit call the city office at 983-2174. To report someone dumping illegal items contact Peabody Police Department at 983-2133.
