Oppressive Government Trash Collection Bin

You may voice your opinion about your trash collection or this photo,

or both. Thank you for your time.

We just got our new bins this week as well.  I might have to make a similar sign for mine.

About 6 years ago a shiny new green recycle bin was dumped off in the street in front of my home.  A booklet taped to the lid gave thorough detailed instructions of how to use it.  It went something like this;

*  Only recycle materials with the triangle 'recycle' logo

*  Only recycle glass containers

*  Only recycle clean paper without any plastic or cellophane within.

*  Failure to follow "Orders" will result in penalties

  -  1st offense will be a $40 fine

  -  2nd offense will be a $120 fine

  -  3rd offense will result in suspension of all collection services

The booklet itself was not recyclable material.  Every page was coated with acetate to protect the paper within from the elements...

So I phone Waste Management and tell them to take the can away and explain how I have no control over who puts what into my can after I put it at the curb for collection, therefor I am not willing to risk penalties that go with the recycle can.  WM tells me usage of the can in not mandatory therefor I may just park it in my yard forever.  I explained this option is not satisfactory and they need to come get it.  We went back and forth until they hung up the phone on me. 

So I sent them a bill for $20/month storage for leaving the can and I phoned the local media.  In the bill which I shared with the local news I explained if the debt goes unpaid then I will consider the can abandoned and dispose of it by cutting it into small enough bits to fit inside the regular garbage can.  The day after the story hit the air WM took back their 'can of rules & penalties'.

I have no trouble at all recycling and do so extensively.  But their draconian penalties are way over the top.  If I had a way to lock the can it would change everything, but I have no control over the contents once I park the can at the curb. 

In a reply to the media WM says the policy is not theirs but that of the local government with which they contract.  Pretty much explains it all right there, 'government'...

Thank you, Bob and Craig, for your responses.

I received a letter from our new solid waste program. They say that we may only use this 95 gallon cart for garbage, and that we cannot put out more cans or bags than that a week:

"If your household requires collection of more than the 95 gallons of waste per week providded in the base service, you must contact your hauler to order an additional cart. Your hauler will assess a cart delivery charge and an additional monthly fee for the service. One method to reduce your household waste volume is to recycle. "

In a way, I guess they are forcing us to recycle or pay extra. I like to do spring cleaning. I guess I am going to have to spread that out over the course of 52 weeks a year!!