Common Rules for Garbage Collection Service

Garbage collection services is most commonly regulated by local town districts and funded by taxpayer money. Towns are concerned with keeping the community clean and litter-free-trash collection is a major part of keeping to that standard. As a resident, you are responsible for packaging and placing your garbage outside for collection in a way that makes it easy for a trash collector to do his job efficiently. Keep in mind that the specific rules vary according to your state or town-call your town administration office for a list of the exact requirements.

Location of Garbage

Most municipalities set designated points of collection for garbage. This point of collection is usually either on the street or sidewalk outside of the homeowner's residence. The back of the garbage can must face the home with the front facing the street so that the collector can easily open and dump the container. The town requires you to remove your empty container from the street or sidewalk in a timely fashion (usually the same day). If you don't remove your container in time, you may be fined by the city.

Containers

Towns often have strict rules regarding the type of container you can place out for garbage service. Generally, you can place standard garbage cans and tied bags out for collection. Most garbage collection services will not take individual pieces of trash that are not enclosed in a bag or can. Some towns also allow loose sticks and rods as long as they are tied up securely with rope (some yard waste is picked up on a separate day of the week other than the regular trash collection).

Time of Day Rules

Many municipalities have rules regarding the time of day when you can place your trash outside on the street for collection. They do not want the trash cans and bags to sit on the street for long periods of time before collection. You usually have to wait until the evening of the night before collection to place your garbage to the street and have the garbage in place before a certain time in the early morning in order for the collector to take it.

Unacceptable Items

Most trash items are acceptable for garbage service, but there are a few things that you should not put in the trash. That includes hazardous waste (like acids and toxic chemicals), large pieces of furniture, auto parts (including tires), construction debris (like leftover drywall), electronics, and medical waste. One specific type of medical waste that many localities are concerned with due to the dangers it can present to trash personnel is sharps and needles. This medical waste can hurt someone if it isn't packaged properly for disposal via a trash collection service. Make sure that sharps are enclosed in a hard container like a coffee can or empty detergent bottle and marked "Sharps." There are also sharps containers you can buy to dispose of needles properly. Keep in mind that disposal of sharps in regular trash may be illegal in certain states like California.

If you place an unacceptable item in the trash for collection, the garbage man will leave it there and mark the container with a notice explaining why he didn't pick it up. Ask your town administration office for a complete list of the items disallowed for trash pickup.

Sources:

http://www.sandiego.gov/environmental-services/collection/general.shtml

http://www.coj.net/Departments/Environmental+and+Compliance/Dont+Trash+Jacksonville/Rules.htm

http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:g7GNTKtSE_sJ:www.health.state.ny.us/publications/0909.pdf+proper+disposal+of+sharps&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESj7eTPowcU72nzw716596djYgc5YWeHvHrWdt6yCHNnGcljlZVNxtkZN0VFiocd80JFnkduURy1KCamTQfXDPW6XBIqoU0FpA9fCv9knyD4tF3CNCGbmgkXgajH28EDwF2s4AzD&sig=AHIEtbTpepKfbckdxF9OIJ0t-6qkS7HC0A

http://www.sharpsinc.com/disposal_mail_product_page.htm