The City of Arkadelphia’s Sanitation Department is making changes to its biannual trash bag giveaway event.

The Sanitation Department will host a week-long pickup event at the Recreation Center from June 12 to June 16. Past events have only lasted three days.

“The pickup event at the Recreation Center has always been the most convenient way for our residents to receive their free trash bags,” City Manager Gary Brinkley said. “By extending this event from three days to five days, we believe more residents will be able to attend this event and receive their free trash bags at a more convenient location.”

Residents who do not attend the pickup event at the Recreation Center will have six weeks to visit the Sanitation Department to pick up their free trash bags. In recent years, city officials have tightened the pickup window from six months to three months, with the goal of reaching a six-week timeline.

“We’ve been trying to find the sweet spot with our trash bag giveaways,” Brinkley said. “Six weeks is the perfect amount of time for residents to be able to pick up their free bags — one of which is our week-long giveaway at the Rec Center.”

Residents can pick up their free trash bags at the Recreation Center from June 12 to June 16, starting daily at 7 a.m. and ending at 6 p.m. Those unable to attend the pickup event may visit the Sanitation Department Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. to receive their free trash bags. The June voucher will expire on August 1, 2023.

Residents can purchase trash bags from the Sanitation Department year-round. Trash bags can be purchased at the Sanitation Department for $10.