Proper disposal of Animal Carcasses and Hot Ashes

    Leaving a carcass in a waste container can attract dogs, cats and other animals to the container, which often leads to the carcass and trash being spread around the immediate area, street, alley or neighborhood. Leaving dead animals in roll-outs and dumpsters can create foul odors; it is also a welcome mat for bacteria. The City asks for the cooperation of all hunters in Gillette to assist with this request.

Once again, the Solid Waste division will not pick up waste containers containing animal carcasses - the carcasses should be disposed of at the County Landfill.

The Solid Waste division also asks customers to avoid putting hot ashes from your stove or fireplace into your rollout or dumpster.

Improper ash disposal has become a common cause of many forest and grass fires. Wood ashes retain enough heat to ignite other combustible materials for several days. Forestry officials caution homeowners about this serious threat to the safety of their families and homes. Improper ash disposals can destroy homes, outbuildings and other valuable resources. Please be careful.

What can you do to prevent fires from igniting from hot wood ashes?

•Dispose of wood ashes in a metal container that can be tightly closed, douse with water, place the closed container outside your home away from combustible materials and leave in the container for several days before disposing of them.  Did you know that many people dispose of their wood stove ashes in garbage containers that are often plastic or even paper bags?  It does not take much heat for these types of containers to burst into flames.
•Teach other family members about the dangers associated with hot ash disposal
•Be careful with ashes around areas you might not consider combustible during wetter times, such as mulched flowerbeds and lawns that are drought stricken
•Do Not place hot ashes in a dumpster where there are potentially other combustible materials
•Do Not dispose of ashes in paper, plastic or cardboard containers
•Do Not assume the ashes are cold and pour them onto the ground (even into a hole) where leaves can blow onto them or the wind can stir up sparks
Once you are POSITIVE your container of ashes is "Cold", place in a pile and prepare your container for the next load.

For more information contact Public Information Officer Joe Lunne at (307) 686-5393.