City officials are hoping to give Nome a facelift this week as cleanup efforts get underway. 

The City of Nome’s Spring U-Call We-Haul started Tuesday, May 30 and will run through Friday, June 2. 

City manager Glenn Steckman says the annual project is a way to beautify Nome for everyone. 

“We try to get the town cleaned up, encourage people to remove things that they may have saved and continue to save, but really don’t need anymore,” Steckman said. “We want people to cherish the land and that is going to be our theme this summer, on keeping the town clean from litter.”

Residents can call 907-443-NOME (or 907-443-6663) before noon on Friday to arrange pickup of items.  

“If you have anything that you would like the city to come and pick up from your home, any pile of debris as long as it’s put into along the curb, the city crews will come and get it,” Steckman said.

The city has also brought back the bounty for derelict vehicles and snowmachines. They’ll give $100 for cars and trucks, and $25 for ATVs and snowmachines. 

“We have a lot of vehicles … all around Nome that probably really do not function anymore, and we’ll pay you to take some of that away,” Steckman said.

Steckman added that the city is especially interested in helping seniors and those with physical limitations. 

“We will help elders, and anybody who may be disabled. We are trying to work with them,” Steckman added.

There is a lot happening on Saturday, June 3 as well. 

Dump trucks will be located at Icy View Fire Hall, the recycling center (across from Napa), and the rec center parking lot. A chance to win one of five kids’ bikes will be offered to anyone who collects 12 or more bags of trash. 

It’s also “raffle day” on Saturday at the bus stop at Anvil City Square. There will be free hot dogs and sodas from noon to 4 p.m. Every bag of trash collected earns a chance to win a prize. 

 The city aims to make disposing trash easy and accessible. The landfill will offer a “free dump day” to Nome residents on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  

On Friday and Saturday, Kawerak and the City of Nome will offer an electronic waste recycling event at the parking lot between Kawerak and the Methodist church from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.

“Kawerak is doing electronic returns, where you can take it over to their facility and they’ll take your old electronics, so we don’t put those in the landfill,” Steckman said.

E-recycling is free to Nome residents, and 50 cents per pound for commercial e-waste. 

For all cleanup needs, yellow trash bags are available through Friday at City Hall, the Public Safety Building and the rec center. 

Image at top: Garbage bags for the U Call We Haul cleanup event are available at Nome City Hall. Photo by Greg Knight/KNOM