Trash containers

[prunesnprisms.livejournal.com]

Anyone already have an answer to what to do if you already had 64 gallon rolling containers that you bought and paid for before the City decided to give them out? They were expensive, there's nothing wrong with them, and I can't store 1-2 more containers on the property if the City drops off a couple more this week. Is there any way to actually decline the new ones?

I have not called 311 because I've been out of town, but I suppose possibly I should. 

Comments

[avjudge]

You could decline the new one and continue to use your old one (as the actual regulations haven't - yet - changed, they're just ASKING us to use theirs), but if in the future the city requires that you use theirs and only theirs, you may then have to pay $50 to get one, This is my understanding from what I've read and heard at the Ward 5 resistat meeting.

[kelkyag]

The notice left here says the new bins belong to the unit, and have to be left for the next resident. Turning down the city bins would complicate that ...

[avjudge]

Right, because even if they let you keep using yours & you don't have to (eventually) pay the $50 for a city bin, the new owner would - unless you leave yours & it continues to be accepted.

As I may create 15 gallons on a heavy week - usually I have one or 2 grocery bags tied small - I plan to continue to use my old barrel as long as it's legal, then if/when they make the bins mandatory I'd probably toss my little bag(s) into a friend's/neighbor's bin (with permission), but I'll keep my city bin & just use it to store mulch or something bulky so it will be here for the next owner. Fortunately I have a large property - for Somerville, that is!

[prunesnprisms.livejournal.com]

I guess it could, but in this case I own, so if I left $50 for a trash can would be a tiny issue.

[somerfriend.livejournal.com]

I hope that the city adds the option of smaller containers later on for people who don't produce much trash.

The city was faced with the problem that most residents are not complying with regulations. They could have fined everyone who wasn't, but people are stubborn to admit they have a problem and loathe to spend any money, so giving out free barrels was the best option politically to change behavior, something that is desperately needed. I also spent money on new barrels last year but I'm not complaining because I know there was no other way to get my fellow citizens to change their behavior. Even though the cold eyed rational person in me would rather everyone just be forced to buy Toter brand barrels. The realistic person I've become as I've gotten older is just rolling with it, rather than acting indignant.

You got a free barrel, you don't need your old one, just repurpose it for yard waste or something, give or sell it on craigslist and use the new one. Unless your old was was the same Toter brand, it is probably not as good. Move on and let's support the rodent control effort as a team rather than nitpick at minor short term adjustments it requires.

[pierceheart.livejournal.com]

Move on and let's support the rodent control effort as a team rather than nitpick at minor short term adjustments it requires.

Meanwhile, the trash collectors increase the problem, by failing to actually dump full trashcans, many times just pulling a full trashbag out of the barrel, not looking to see if there's something underneath it.

[prunesnprisms.livejournal.com]

That's kindof a jerky response, as I am not nitpicking, I am asking for information. The ones I bought in the last 2-5 years are the Toter brand, and I know better than to think the city will dispose of them. We keep our old old ones around for yard waste, resulting in no more room to store trash bins of any type. I am trying to figure out what to do before it becomes a burning issue, which it might do in the next week.

Craigslist isn't a bad idea, I guess, but I'll call 311 first.

[grapefruiteater.livejournal.com]

These barrels have been standard in Lowell for several years now, and they have a smaller size for senior citizens. We never fill our full-size barrel, but I'm glad we have it in case we did have extra trash one week. It would save us the trouble of buying the overflow bags. We pay a yearly fee for the barrel, so it's not free (I don't know if that's the case in Somerville). Somerville is actually a bit late to the party on this one—in the Merrimack Valley, most cities and towns have gone to standardized barrels.

[fefie.livejournal.com]

One point about standardizing on the new trash barrels was not clearly made at the Ward 5 Restistat meeting, imo, is that they fit on the lifter on the Russell trucks (like the recycle barrels).

The other point about these barrels is that rats cannot eat holes in the bottom of them. Many of us have other brands of trash barrels that have flip/attached lids, like the Rubbermaid ones. But rats can eat holes through the bottom, as I have observed in the barrels of a local establishment on my block. So, while "the lids are fastened securely" the rats come and go through bottom of the barrel. (Sadly i know way too much about this....)

[prunesnprisms.livejournal.com]

I'm all for the efficiency, just trying to figure out to do now that we are being penalized for being an early adopter.

[jesseh.livejournal.com]

There was something about getting a sticker so your old barrel can be picked up as trash, if you just want to get rid of it.... And it sounded like there would be a regulation requiring the use of the new barrels within the next few months, although there isn't one right now.

[pakoo.livejournal.com]

We actually don't have enough barrels to support our growing household. If you get a new delivery and don't want them, I would be very grateful for them and would come by and pick them up---
thanks--

[chenoameg.livejournal.com]

Something has eaten a hole in the top of my recycling bin. I wonder how I can repair that.

[somerfriend.livejournal.com]

The problem is that everyone thinks there bins are not a problem, everyone takes umbridge at any suggestion they are, and people use dramatic language like burning issue.and calling other people names like jerks. And yet probably only 25% of people owned adequate bins before the rollout. I'm trying to give you context about why the city needs to give news bins to everyone, as due to hubris the alternative of ticketing non compliance would be worst. Move on, it is not a burning issue. Don't take my post personally, I'm not referring just to you.

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