# How do you throw away a garbage can?? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 20, 2006, 7:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-throw-away-a-garbage-can/345303 "2006-02-20T07:58:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![35340](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/8baadc/32.png) [@35340](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/35340)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2006, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-throw-away-a-garbage-can/345303/21 "2006-02-21T14:20:51Z")
I vote for composter. Soon as I get a fence, my broken trash can is going to become my new composter. 🙂 Currently I use it to store tubes of wrapping paper (it’s clean inside). ---
**Author:** ![thirdname](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@thirdname](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thirdname)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2006, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-throw-away-a-garbage-can/345303/22 "2006-02-21T15:38:44Z")
> [@CynicalGabe](#): > > What if you want to throw away a dumpster? I covered that one. The dumpster goes in a bigger dumpster. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2006, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-throw-away-a-garbage-can/345303/23 "2006-02-21T16:05:27Z")
**Please don’t put it in someone’s dumpster.** I’m serious. We get fined $500 every time our dumpster lid won’t close because other people have thrown their garbage into it and now it’s “overflowing”. We’ve had to chain the lid onto the thing to stop people from filling it up before garbage day, or call up our waste removal company and pay for an extra dump run to avoid getting a ticket and fine. It’s even illegal in some areas to put refuse in a container that’s not yours or clearly public. Call your company, put a sign on it, cut it up or whatever. But don’t cost some neighbor hundreds of dollars just so it’s not your problem anymore. ---
**Author:** ![Omegaman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e480ec/32.png) [@Omegaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omegaman)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2006, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-throw-away-a-garbage-can/345303/24 "2006-02-22T00:30:26Z")
> [@LVgeogeek](#): > > Well, the stupid trash collectors have broken my garbage can. It is the kind that has wheels on the bottom, they some how broke the wheels off so now it is damn near impossible to move. > > We are going to be getting a new trash can this week, but how on earth do we get the trash collectors to take the old broken one? > > I have had people tell me that putting a sign on it won’t work and we don’t have trash bags big enough to put it in. What do we have to do, cut it up? 😕 What do you mean some how ? the guys that work for R. I. specialize in this sort of thing .Personally I have had my cans destroyed by them on several occasions . The odd part is i rent them from R. I. :rolleyes: I used to buy my own but after buying them repeatadly I gave in to corporate America and bit the bullet. ---
**Author:** ![Astroboy14](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/df705f/32.png) [@Astroboy14](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Astroboy14)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2006, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-throw-away-a-garbage-can/345303/25 "2006-02-22T00:44:32Z")
Catapult. Or, alternatively, goat cannon. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2006, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-throw-away-a-garbage-can/345303/26 "2006-02-22T01:14:45Z")
This is an old George Carlin routine, isn’t it? Seriously, though, the people who collect the garbage aren’t idiots. I had a wheeled garbage can break once, and they replaced it without me having to ask. Another time (with a different garbage company), I went out when they were picking up the trash ('cause I know what time they collect), and asked if they could please replace it. The following week, they swapped the broken can for a fresh one. Years ago, I got rid of a metal can I had purchased myself by taping a sign to it saying, “Please Take This Can.” It’s really not a problem. ---
**Author:** ![Tikki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5daacb/32.png) [@Tikki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tikki)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2006, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-throw-away-a-garbage-can/345303/27 "2006-02-22T07:05:29Z")
Scrub it out and sanitize it really, really good and [grow spuds](http://www.ciscoe.com/~ciscoe/archive/spuds.html) in it. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2006, 7:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-throw-away-a-garbage-can/345303/28 "2006-02-22T07:12:40Z")
> [@Team of Scientists](#): > > This thread title gave me a good laugh. It almost sounds like one of those Zen Buddhist questions like the one about a tree falling in a forest. That’s how I feel whenever I throw away a garbage can. It’s a very “circle of life/samsara” thing. The last time I had to do this, I put it in the dumpster behind our apartment complex, but that was ‘our’ dumpster. ---
**Author:** ![LVgeogeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b19c9b/32.png) [@LVgeogeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LVgeogeek)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2006, 7:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-throw-away-a-garbage-can/345303/29 "2006-02-22T07:19:01Z")
> [@](#): > > Please don’t put it in someone’s dumpster. I’m serious. We get fined $500 every time our dumpster lid won’t close because other people have thrown their garbage into it and now it’s “overflowing”. I did try calling the garbage company today, but all I get are recorded messages with seemingly no way to talk to a “real person”. In all the industrial parks, including the one where my office is located, the trash is picked up every day. Most of the time the dumpsters are mostly empty. I am just going to ditch it there. I live in a HOA neighnorhood. Our trash cans cannot be visible if it isn’t trash day, which is twice a week. Even on our back patios. (I live in a townhouse) I’ve even gotten letters because my “can was out too long on trash day”… my response “I work 8AM - 6 PM, people- get a life.” Using it as a composter wouldn’t work, It is too hot and dry here. Even if I wet it down I wouldn’t want it 10 feet from my patio door. I would compost if I live in a climate that would warrant it and had the space for it, I would. ---
**Author:** ![Pushkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ee59a6/32.png) [@Pushkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pushkin)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2006, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-throw-away-a-garbage-can/345303/30 "2006-02-22T12:09:59Z")
Here in Belfast you can request a special rubbish (garbage) pickup for items you can’t legally bin or dump in the landfill site or that are too big for the regular bin. Anything similar elsewhere? ---
**Author:** ![35340](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/8baadc/32.png) [@35340](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/35340)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2006, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-throw-away-a-garbage-can/345303/31 "2006-02-22T16:20:00Z")
> [@Pushkin](#): > > Here in Belfast you can request a special rubbish (garbage) pickup for items you can’t legally bin or dump in the landfill site or that are too big for the regular bin. > > Anything similar elsewhere? Yes, here; or there are designated bulk-trash days. In my old townhome w/HOA, it was once a quarter with a special shortly after the winter holidays (a flat-bed sized trash collection bin was placed in the common lot). Now our bulk pick up is one day every other fortnight for organic material (lawn clippings or dead foliage) and one day every other fortnight for construction or non-organic larger items. Alternatively, you can drive it all the frikkin way out to one of the county landfills for processing (recycling, repurposing, et cetera). ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2006, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-throw-away-a-garbage-can/345303/32 "2006-02-22T19:02:38Z")
You could always leave it outside with a label reading “Garbage Can. $30. Inquire within.” It’ll be gone overnight. ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2006, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-throw-away-a-garbage-can/345303/33 "2006-02-22T19:29:06Z")
> [@The Mad Hermit](#): > > low-budget kids’ pool or playhouse :dubious: Hey kids, time to get in the Stinky Pool of Chin Deep Water! ---
**Author:** ![Tikki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5daacb/32.png) [@Tikki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tikki)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2006, 7:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-throw-away-a-garbage-can/345303/34 "2006-02-23T07:03:11Z")
You could try posting an ad for it on [Craigslist](http://http://lasvegas.craigslist.org/) in the Free column. Even though its beat up, someone might have a use for it. If no one comes for it,\* then\* you could toss it in the Dumpster at work. ---
**Author:** ![Omegaman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e480ec/32.png) [@Omegaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omegaman)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2006, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-throw-away-a-garbage-can/345303/35 "2006-02-23T20:37:50Z")
Actually, you can take the can to one of republics drop sites. There is one at the east end of Vegas Valley drive and one on Cheyenne west of I-15. You will need a copy of your garbage bill or city bill if it is included in thier services. ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2006, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-throw-away-a-garbage-can/345303/36 "2006-02-23T21:07:59Z")
> [@brian\_ax](#): > > That’s what I do. > > BTW, our local waste transfer station accepts big items that are recyclable at no charge. Mine too. I actually had this conversation with the guy at the local solid waste transfer station just the other day. I’ve two out of three cans that are wrecked. ( Snow plows will do that to ya 😃 ). I said, how else do you get rid of 'em? He didn’t have an answer. I should print out this thread and give it to him. It used to be the county dump, but it was capped and sealed and whatnotted years ago. Me, I love that place. I take a car fulla junk and refuse from projects, and drive away with…an empty car !!! How neat is that? **Shodan** , that’s hilarious. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Big\_Cheese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8baadc/32.png) [@The\_Big\_Cheese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Big_Cheese)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2006, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-throw-away-a-garbage-can/345303/37 "2006-02-24T00:05:06Z")
> [@The Mad Hermit](#): > > Recycle- it’s better for the environment. > > You have a new: > > [ul] > [li]backyard leaf can[/li][li]recycling container[/li][li]planter for a small tree[/li][li]keg cooler[/li][li]hiding place for a spy or security camera[/li][li]low-budget kids’ pool or playhouse[/li][li]etc…[/li][/ul] > > Or. cut it up into little pieces and put it in the new can. …or a [Rain barrel.](http://rainbarrelguide.com/) ---
**Author:** ![LVgeogeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b19c9b/32.png) [@LVgeogeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LVgeogeek)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2006, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-throw-away-a-garbage-can/345303/38 "2006-02-24T02:05:46Z")
> [@](#): > > …or a Rain barrel. Good idea, but note the location… Las Vegas. It hardly ever rains here 😃 The average rainfall is 4 - 4.5 inches per year and the evaporation rate is 6 feet per year. Omegaman… actually I don’t receive a trash bill. It is included in my HOA fee. I suppose I can call the HOA manager and ask about getting something that would allow me to take the old and busted garbage can to the landfill. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2006, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-throw-away-a-garbage-can/345303/39 "2006-02-24T14:53:35Z")
There was a good thread on this years ago. Stencil city parks on the side and leave it at a park. 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-throw-away-a-garbage-can/345303.md?page=1)