St. Johns spring clean up offers low-cost junk disposal May 23

St. Johns residents looking to clear out garages, yards and move-out debris will have a low-cost disposal option Saturday, May 23, when the city’s Spring Clean Up 2026 runs from 9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. at the Blue Hills Regional Landfill.

The posted price is designed to keep the cleanup within reach for households that might otherwise put it off. For $5, residents can dispose of up to five truck or car loads. Trailers cost an additional $15, and appliances are $5 each. To get the discounted rate, residents must bring their May water bill. Questions can be directed to St. Johns City Hall at 928-337-4517.

That timing matters for more than convenience. St. Johns Public Works says water bills are due on the 22nd of each month, and City Hall will be closed for Memorial Day on May 25, so residents who need help with billing or cleanup details will need to handle it before the holiday. The one-day window also gives families a chance to finish spring yard work and get bulky waste out of the way before summer starts driving more outdoor activity and more clutter.

Blue Hills Environmental Association is presenting the cleanup. The locally operated business says it started about 20 years ago and serves construction, commercial and residential customers in Apache County with economical prices and friendly service. The landfill used for the event is listed by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality as Apache County Regional Landfill Blue Hills, an active municipal solid waste landfill owned and operated by Apache County.

Keeping waste headed to the landfill instead of vacant lots or alleys also addresses a broader county concern. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says illegal dumping can threaten public health, safety, property values and quality of life, and that people often dump waste where it is not allowed to avoid disposal fees or because proper disposal options are not easy to access.

The city’s cleanup page fits into a pattern, not a one-off effort. St. Johns newsletters already archive earlier cleanup notices, including Spring Clean Up 2024 and Clean up 2023 Information, showing that the spring event has become a recurring service for residents who need an affordable way to get rid of bulky items before summer.