Take a quick tour of a few of the trash (treasure?) piles in Antrim County.
During the annual Spring Cleanup in Forest Home Township, residents are encouraged to pile their unwanted belongings on the side of the road.
But this year, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) asked Forest Home Township to stop allowing residents to pile their trash on state highways.
Township officials decided to put up signs showing residents where to place their garbage. And so far, residents are listening.
"I didn't know the signs would work so well," said Forest Home Township Supervisor Terry Smith. "What is shows is that people really value this pickup service."
Spring Cleanup is a tradition that dates back 20 years in Forest Home and other Antrim County villages and townships.
Before the waste management team comes by though, people from all over Michigan peruse the piles of discarded belongings in search of valuables.
“You never know what you’re gonna find," said Norma Jackson. IPR met her last spring while she was "curbmarting" (that's what she liked to call it).
Jackson went home with a little Weber grill, furnishings for her new camping trailer, and an accordion.
The list of things she turned down was equally spectacular: old tools, lawn furniture, electronics, vacuum cleaners, plumbing fixtures, rugs, blankets, mattresses, yard signs, fine art, cabinetry, and the list goes on...
This year, the trash has moved off of highway M-88 and onto side roads that lead to the state highway. Watch our video for a tour of a few of the piles.
The culminating event for the Antrim County spring cleanup is a 26-mile-long garage sale.
The M-88 Outdoor Market takes place this year on June 20th.
