# considering NOT getting garbage pick up **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 22, 2014, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/considering-not-getting-garbage-pick-up/702205 "2014-10-22T23:40:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2014, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/considering-not-getting-garbage-pick-up/702205/61 "2014-10-24T05:04:30Z")
My experiences with taking my trash to the landfill or transfer station were: Buy tickets at town hall and take trash to landfill. The guys eyeball it or lift it and tell me how many tickets to give them. This is during business hours. 9-12 on Saturdays only – buy stickers at the general store and affix one per bag ($4 a bag!!) and throw in garbage truck. Either way, trash piles up and depending on the season, it can be nasty to bring it to the dump in your car. $20 a month is well worth it. [Now we are spoiled – trash is included in town fees and is essentially “free” no matter how much you take over.] ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2014, 11:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/considering-not-getting-garbage-pick-up/702205/62 "2014-10-24T11:20:26Z")
The small town we live near had a recycling set-up for a while, where you could take glass, cans, and cardboard. They discontinued it because of heavy use (bars and restaurants were bringing bottles). Another nearby town has a recycling drop off, but it is manned and they turn away non-residents. So, we have no recycling. ---
**Author:** ![kiz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/7feea3/32.png) [@kiz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kiz)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2014, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/considering-not-getting-garbage-pick-up/702205/63 "2014-10-24T12:45:57Z")
> [@SanVito](#): > > In the UK, collection is done weekly by the local council (or private subcontractors of the same). This is funded by our local taxes. The majority of local authorities are also pretty strict about recycling and give you a variety of colour coded bins for different stuff (paper and plastic/glass/food waste, garden waste etc). We have a local recycling centre we can take extra stuff to, but, again, this is run by the local authority and is free at the point of delivery. We’ve got a similar setup here (substitute town for council – trash companies have to bid every year to get the contract). Our recycling is “single stream” meaning you no longer have to separate everything. The town’s DPW yard is open the first weekend of every month for certain items like appliances, and you need to buy a special sticker for these items over at town hall – you’re basically paying extra to the town to dispose of the item. The difference is that our trash is “pay as you throw”. The trash company won’t pick up unless you have a $3 sticker on the top bag of your trash bin. You can buy the stickers at several stores around town as well as town hall. Other towns require buying special trash bags in lieu of stickers. We’ve got a couple of towns in the area where residents have to cart everything to the transfer station. Ironically they’re the “exclusive” towns where I suppose having a garbage truck cruising the neighborhood would simply not do. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2014, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/considering-not-getting-garbage-pick-up/702205/64 "2014-10-24T13:45:51Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > The small town we live near had a recycling set-up for a while, where you could take glass, cans, and cardboard. They discontinued it because of heavy use (bars and restaurants were bringing bottles). Another nearby town has a recycling drop off, but it is manned and they turn away non-residents. > > So, we have no recycling. I would have thought that the town makes money from selling the recyclables, so it would actually appreciate the greater volume from restaurants. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2014, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/considering-not-getting-garbage-pick-up/702205/65 "2014-10-24T14:08:24Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I would have thought that the town makes money from selling the recyclables, so it would actually appreciate the greater volume from restaurants. Yeah, I didn’t understand it. Apparently the dumpster was slated for pick-up on a weekly schedule. When usage increased, the dumpster was full and overflowing before the week was up. The town felt it was easier to stop the service. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2014, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/considering-not-getting-garbage-pick-up/702205/66 "2014-10-24T16:51:46Z")
Just throw your garbage in the dumpster at the closest gas station. They usually don’t mind. ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2014, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/considering-not-getting-garbage-pick-up/702205/67 "2014-10-24T18:35:10Z")
Wanna bet? That’s an idiotic and bullshit thing to do. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2014, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/considering-not-getting-garbage-pick-up/702205/68 "2014-10-25T07:07:08Z")
> [@epbrown01](#): > > I think it was more a joke about being awakened almost everyday by trash collectors. This. Especially as I live on the ground floor. Al though as an insomniac, the true horror is not being woken up by the garbage truck - it’s hearing it when you’re still awake, and realizing you’ve been up all night. It’s the same reason I hate birds. ---
**Author:** ![kiz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/7feea3/32.png) [@kiz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kiz)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2014, 8:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/considering-not-getting-garbage-pick-up/702205/69 "2014-10-25T08:12:54Z")
> [@Kimballkid](#): > > Wanna bet? > > That’s an idiotic and bullshit thing to do. Never mind that if you did it here you’d face a hefty fine. Many places on the town border here lock their dumpsters and have taken away their public trash baskets for this very reason. ---
**Author:** ![grude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47774/32.png) [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2014, 8:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/considering-not-getting-garbage-pick-up/702205/70 "2014-10-25T08:18:07Z")
There are two dumpsters out at the road free for public use, obviously pickup is included in taxes. I’m cool with this, it is in the public interest that garbage not be piled up in residential areas. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2014, 10:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/considering-not-getting-garbage-pick-up/702205/71 "2014-10-25T10:44:35Z")
> [@Drunky\_Smurf](#): > > Just throw your garbage in the dumpster at the closest gas station. They usually don’t mind. A neighbor saw someone using my business dumpster and got their plate. I filed a police report. the guy had to empty my dumpster (into his car) to avoid being cited. ---
**Author:** ![Urbanredneck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ea5d25/32.png) [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2014, 9:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/considering-not-getting-garbage-pick-up/702205/72 "2014-10-26T09:39:33Z")
Along with our fee we have heavy trash pickup once every other year. I sure wish it was yearly. On that day one can put out darn near anything. furniture, appliances, tree limbs, etc… Its interesting to see whatever people put out. Often thats the day the scroungers drive around and pick out stuff like metal. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2014, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/considering-not-getting-garbage-pick-up/702205/73 "2014-10-29T02:36:41Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Is the OP married? > > Because if he or she is, I advise against using the dump. Taking the garbage there will become just one more thing to argue about. Nah. Our town doesn’t do trash pick up so your options are a. pay someone to pick it up for $35/mo and you’re limited to 2 bags a week or b. pay $1.25 a bag to bring it to the transfer station. Several years ago my parents switched from option a to b, which saves them a lot since there’s only a bag or two a week (recycling costs nothing, so they do that a lot too). I can’t recall it ever being something they’ve argued about. Dad brings it on Saturday, or Mom brings it on Tuesday. ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2014, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/considering-not-getting-garbage-pick-up/702205/74 "2014-10-29T02:50:49Z")
I would gladly pay $1/minute for my valuable time to not be wasted. If the dump trip takes more than 20 minutes, then I come out ahead by having it picked up. ---
**Author:** ![JackieLikesVariety](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackielikesvariety/32/296_2.png) [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2014, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/considering-not-getting-garbage-pick-up/702205/75 "2014-10-29T13:12:42Z")
> [@elfkin477](#): > > Nah. Our town doesn’t do trash pick up so your options are a. pay someone to pick it up for $35/mo and you’re limited to 2 bags a week or b. pay $1.25 a bag to bring it to the transfer station. Several years ago my parents switched from option a to b, which saves them a lot since there’s only a bag or two a week (recycling costs nothing, so they do that a lot too). I can’t recall it ever being something they’ve argued about. Dad brings it on Saturday, or Mom brings it on Tuesday. I know, right? that post doesn’t tell you anything about trash but it tells you a lot about that poster’s marriage. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![flatlined](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb9ed0/32.png) [@flatlined](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flatlined)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2014, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/considering-not-getting-garbage-pick-up/702205/76 "2014-10-29T20:50:29Z")
I used to have a neighbor who was only there 3 or 4 weekends a month. He didn’t generate a lot of trash, so didn’t want to pay for weekly service. He asked me if he could put his trash in my can and I agreed. (He also offered to pay me part of the cost, but I didn’t agree to that.) From what I understand, he was confronted by several other neighbors who saw him doing it. He started taking his trash home after someone told him that they were going to call my trash company and complain. So, if you do go in with a neighbor, be sure the other neighbors aren’t nosy jerks who have nothing better to do than be trash can monitors. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2014, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/considering-not-getting-garbage-pick-up/702205/77 "2014-10-29T22:26:06Z")
20 dollars a month not to have to drive your own garbage to the dump seems like such a no brainer. 50 would still be a very easy decision, maybe at 100 i might start having this discussion. ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2014, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/considering-not-getting-garbage-pick-up/702205/78 "2014-10-29T22:43:09Z")
We don’t generate enough stuff that can only go into landfill to make hauling a trash can a mile out to the highway every week, so we make a recycling run to the local facility about every two months, chickens get everything biodegradable, and the rest, umm, gets slipped into some business dumpster every once in a while. It’s always about five or ten pounds worth, no more. We just don’t have any other way of dealing with it, sorry. When we paid for garbage service we only filled up their smallest can once a month at most, just wasn’t worth it. Our county recycling system is awesome – it’s run by the Gray Bears, a senior self-help organization. Started as a fundraiser but they got so good at it they now have the county contract. Everything from paint to paper bags gets sorted and re-used. ---
**Author:** ![JackieLikesVariety](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackielikesvariety/32/296_2.png) [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2014, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/considering-not-getting-garbage-pick-up/702205/79 "2014-10-30T00:20:11Z")
> [@](#): > > So, if you do go in with a neighbor, be sure the other neighbors aren’t nosy jerks who have nothing better to do than be trash can monitors. people can be so nosy! :mad: > [@Ulfreida](#): > > Our county recycling system is awesome – it’s run by the Gray Bears, a senior self-help organization. Started as a fundraiser but they got so good at it they now have the county contract. Everything from paint to paper bags gets sorted and re-used. never heard of them but I like this idea - stuff can be recycled and should be. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/considering-not-getting-garbage-pick-up/702205.md?page=3)