Abject Apologies to Recycling and Refuse

[dl meckes]

Dear friends at Recycling and Refuse,

I'm so sorry that people think our city workers cannot tell the difference between old-style trash cans filled with yard waste and the new city provided refuse cans filled with refuse.

I see so many old-style trash cans with "yard waste" spray painted on them as I drive the streets of Lakewood and it makes me wonder.

Our yard waste looks just like yard waste. I think Recycling and Refuse can recognize it. They've been doing such a good job so far.

Maybe people just really want to "tag" stuff and not get into trouble. I don't know.

But I'm sorry for the lack of confidence.

Your friend and fan,

dl meckes

[Ryan Salo]

Two weeks ago I put out my big city provided garbage can, my recycling was put on the ground and I had an older regular garbage can half filled with yard waste, which was NOT spray painted or labeled)

At the end of the day everything was gone except the yard waste. I figured they must be a day behind or something and left it out. The next day that can still stood with yard waste in it. I removed it and planned on putting it out again the following week. The next day I received a letter from the refuse department as a written warning for leaving garbage out past my day! The next time would be $100 fine!

I called and spoke with the Director and she told me that the yard waste people only stop if the waste is in a LABELED can or in paper bags.

Now I understand why everyone has spray painted their cans...

[Corey Rossen]

The next day I received a letter from the refuse department as a written warning for leaving garbage out past my day! The next time would be $100 fine!

Finally, the city received my letters about your garbage practices and acted on it. Corey = 1, Ryan = 0! Clean it, pal, I'm watching you.

Corey

[J Hrlec]

This was the first thing I read when wondering how I should put certain thing out for collection:

Yard Waste

Yard Waste includes grass clippings, trimmings, leaves, plants, bushes, branches and other yard debris. (Dirt, sod and rocks are collected as garbage; please contain separately.) Yard waste should be placed on the tree lawn by 6:30 a.m. on your regular collection day (or after 6:00 p.m. the night before). The Division of Refuse and Recycling does not collect leaves or other yard debris that is not contained or bundled properly. Size and weight limitations are established in the interest of employee safety, and are strictly enforced.

Do:

Limit the weight of each bundle or container to 50# or less.
Contain all loose yard debris in paper yard waste bags, garbage cans marked "Yard Waste" or cardboard boxes no larger than 3' x 3'. Cut branches into 4' lengths and bundle by tying securely at both ends with strong twine or rope.
Cut stumps, logs, and large tree limbs into fireplace size pieces, no more than 18" x 6", and stack neatly on tree lawn.
Cut bushes into 4' lengths and bundle by tying securely at both ends with strong twine or rope.
Break any dirt off roots and contain separately as garbage. Cut the remaining pieces into sections weighing no more than 50# each piece.
Only place yard waste on the tree lawn after 6:00 p.m. the night before your collection day, or by 6:30 a.m. on your collection day.

Do not:

Do not use plastic bags to contain yard debris, as they are not accepted at the recycling facility.
Do not use metal fasteners or tape.
Do not mix garbage and yard waste together.
Do not place overweight containers on the curb for collection.
Do not place uncut, untied branches on the curb for collection.
Do not place debris from work done by contractors on the curb for collection. The City of Lakewood does not collect debris left by or for contractors. (Ord. 1783.23)In the interest of employee safety, the Division of Refuse and Recycling does not collect overweight containers, uncut or untied branches, or other debris that is not properly contained.

[dl meckes]

I stand corrected.

Here I have been living in a dream world where cans spray-painted with "yard waste" look so awful and the idea is so stupid that it simply couldn't REALLY be the law.

I find it impossible to believe that there's such a huge difference in yard waste in a paper bag and yard waste in a plastic can. The yard waste contained therein looks nearly identical to me.

Guess we'd better get with the program and spray paint our old garbage cans.

I hope I didn't get anyone in trouble because city workers have correctly guessed our intentions regarding yard waste in *gasp* unmarked containers.

[Colleen Wing]

Don't feel bad DL, I always thought that it look odd as well...some paint even glows in the dark

On a side note, it took us 4 tries before our old garbage cans were picked up when we got the new dumpster. The recycling guy was very confused. I always feel bad when I have to put a big note on my trash. This trash can is garbage, please recycle

[Charlie Page]

Contain all loose yard debris in paper yard waste bags, garbage cans marked "Yard Waste" or cardboard boxes no larger than 3' x 3'.

There was a time that yard waste needed to be marked as such, to not be confused with the regular trash on your curb. However, you'd think that after a few months with the new 96 gallon cans that you wouldn't need to tag your old cans with "yard waste". It would seem logical (to me anyway) that any other can out there besides the very recognizable 96 gallon can has an extremely high probability of being yard waste, especially when filled with grass clippings. Apparently not so. I started using our old can for grass clippings. I put it out a couple weeks ago for the first time and they took it, can and all. Now, I'm down to my last paper bag and I don't have any 3'x3' boxes. Anyone have an old trash can they really want to throw away?

[dl meckes]

Years ago I had the same experience as Colleen, where it took several tries to actually dispose of a trash can. I thought it was actually fairly thoughtful.

I truly miss seeing our friends in the morning...

And I guess we'll have to envision some art for the old trash bins, in spite of the fact that they have been seen for what they are.

[Paul Schrimpf]

I painted "yard waste" on my can because it was in the printed instructions from the refuse department. I assume it's to eliminate ambiguity and keep the troops moving. I have no problem telegraphing it if it helps.

I was down on the forced trash bins at first as well, but I am now a fan. Gone have been the days of blowing trash from lidless, inadequate cans after storms. I have no romantic feelings for my old cans, with broken and taped lids and leaky bottoms from abuse. I haven't yet filled it on any given week. On the whole I give it a solid good grade.