If the change in weather isn't convincing you that autumn is here, Bismarck's annual fall cleanup week, Monday to Sept. 30, should leave no doubt.

Twice a year the city doubles its cleanup crews, allowing residents to dispose of those items that have been gathering dust in their garages, attics and basements. We're talking furniture, appliances and tires. If you can tote those items out to your regular garbage collection point by 8 a.m. of your regularly scheduled garbage day, city crews will take care of the rest.

"We double the number of collection crews and have people following the garbage trucks with flat beds to cart off the big stuff," assistant city administrator Keith Hunke said. "We normally see a two-fold increase in the amount of garbage we pick up. This holds true twice a year, as we hold a spring cleanup also."

This pickup doesn't include those hazardous wastes or liquids or electronics. A hazardous waste roundup is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 30 at the Public Works Building, located at 601 S. 26th St.

"We'll set up various drop off stations at the Public Works Building site. The first station will be for hazardous items, we want to pull those things out right away," Hunke said. "Then there will a a site for old oil, another for antifreeze and a final station for paints."

Most of these products can be recycled, Hunke said, and those that can't will be incinerated.

The city won't be accepting electronics, such as computers and video monitors. A special dropoff of these items is held in the spring.

The city is about three-quarters complete in construction of the household hazardous waste facility being built at the city landfill, just east of the scale house. Expectations are for the facility to be completed at the end of November, and acceptance of hazardous materials will start no later than the start of next year.

Plans are to accept chemicals, recycled paints, all oil products and electronics at the new facility, which will be open to the public throughout the year on Monday, Wednesday and part of Saturday every week.

Hunke said residents planning to dispose of trees and shrubs during fall cleanup week should have those items bundled, which helps crews in collections.

"We do tend to get a little behind in our collections during fall cleanup week, so residents shouldn't get alarmed if we haven't gotten to them by midweek," Hunke said. "Our goal is that by Friday evening we will have everything collected."

(Reach reporter Gordon Weixel at 250-8255 or gordon.weixel@;bismarcktribune.com.)