The event ran from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and saw lots of community participation.

Alpena Mayor Cindy Johnson, vice chair of the recycling board, said the Cleanup Days are large events for the county and that the group sees a few weighted tons worth of recyclables come through in a single day.

She said it takes about a month for all organizations and companies participating in the event, such as Holcim and Habitat for Humanity, to add up all of the weight and dimensions of the thrown-out items, which is totaled up and reported to the recycling board for Alpena County.

“When we got two lines going in, it’s crazy,” Johnson said. “There are points when everybody kind of comes in at once and it takes us two hours to get through the first wave. Then, we’ll get these small lulls.”

News Photo by Mike Gonzalez A pile of tires lies in the background of dozens of furniture pieces scattered across the parking lot of the Northern Lights Arena at the Alpena Cleanup Day on Saturday.

Tires were piled up next to large shipping units, furniture was scattered across the Northern Lights Arena’s parking lot, and trucks loaded with even more appliances kept coming in.

Even with the sheer amount of recyclables coming in, Nathan Skibbe, recycling board member for the Charter Township of Alpena, said numbers are still consistent and large, but that it used to be even more when he joined the board in 2016.

“The fact that you’re not having that volume these days means that they’re making an impact,” Skibbe said. “There’s less and less stuff, but nonetheless, it’s an invaluable day for all of our residents – things that they need to get rid of. Our average is three to four semi-trailers full of tires.”

The board asked larger loads to come in later on in the day so residents with smaller amounts could come in and out quickly, so over halfway through the five-hour event, trucks with hitched trailers full of mattresses, tires, fridges, and more rolled toward the parking lot.

The nearly $35,000 event is brought together by donations and grants, but residents with larger loads must pay the recycling group to take additional items, contributing to the event’s support.

News Photo by Mike Gonzalez A volunteer waits in a large semi-truck for more large appliances to recycle at the Alpena Cleanup Day on Saturday.

Dan Wirgau, a participant lined up with the other vehicles, said Cleanup Day helps his household considerably.

“It gets stuff out of the yard and it’s something I don’t have to deal with,” Wirgau said. “It’s not going to be a nuisance now and this day helps clean it up. It’s usually the easiest way to get rid of these things.”

News Photo by Mike Gonzalez Cars line up through Woodward Avenue as they wait to enter the parking lot of the Northern Lights Arena for the Alpena Cleanup Day on Saturday.

News Photo by Mike Gonzalez Volunteers walk towards large recyclables at the parking lot of the Northern Lights Arena for the Alpena Cleanup Day on Saturday.