Author Topic: Trash service dilemma  (Read 6066 times)

GoodStash BadStache

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Trash service dilemma
« on: December 05, 2014, 01:35:48 PM »
I've been going through my budget to see where I can tighten up or eliminate expenses and I've come to a bit of dilemma with my trash service.  We're in a relatively small town, but have about 6 trash pickup providers available (no city service).  The expense of trash pickup has steadily increased over the past 10 years with our current company and has now reached about $390 per year, so I started looking at alternatives.  We could change companies and switch to a smaller trash bin for about half the cost, but I came up with another possible solution.

We own a condo in a complex that is very close to our house and rent it to my mother-in-law at a below market price (and she provides some babysitting, family meals, etc. in return).  I usually take her trash bags out to the community dumpster when we visit since her mobility is somewhat limited and have never had any issues.  We've been recycling most of our plastic, paper, and cardboard at my wife's employer and are down to 2-3 of the 13 gallon bags per week.  I'm sure we could put our trash bags in with my MIL's when I take them out and nobody would notice a thing, but I wanted to get a read on what some of you think.  We are the legal owners of the residence, so I don't suspect it's an issue from that end.  The dumpsters are always less than half-full, so I don't see that we'd be harming anyone else's interests.  We recycle and compost, so I don't know that we can get down to a "zero trash output" household.

What do you think you would do, negotiate with your current provider and change companies if they won't drop their price, add your trash to what's already going to the condo dumpster, or something else entirely?  Thanks.

pzxc

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Re: Trash service dilemma
« Reply #1 on: December 05, 2014, 01:39:52 PM »
I say do it!  Why pay for 2 trash services if you only need the capacity of 1?  I'd consider this no different than cancelling telephone service at one place because you can use the phone at the other.

It would be entirely different if you didn't own the condo, but since you do, I can see no ethical or moral objections to what you're proposing.  I'm sure the condo and/or trash service has rules about trash:  No putting "debree" (leaves/branches/etc) into the dumpsters, maybe a maximum number of bags per week, etc...   As long as you follow the rules, I'd say you're golden.

BooksAreNerdy

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Re: Trash service dilemma
« Reply #2 on: December 05, 2014, 01:56:18 PM »
Debris, not debree.

That is all. :)

GoodStash BadStache

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Re: Trash service dilemma
« Reply #3 on: December 05, 2014, 02:04:39 PM »
Just as a quick clarification, the condo dumpster is one of the very large "open top" types, with about 10-15 residences sharing a dumpster.

slugline

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Re: Trash service dilemma
« Reply #4 on: December 05, 2014, 03:07:37 PM »
If there's nothing in the condo by-laws that addresses this, then I see no downside to this other than the hassle of driving your trash over.

pzxc

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Re: Trash service dilemma
« Reply #5 on: December 05, 2014, 03:16:05 PM »
Debris, not debree.

That is all. :)

Wow, can't believe I did that.  I'm usually the grammar/spelling nazi of my peers!  Guess that's what I get for replying quickly and not even reading what you type.

Exflyboy

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Re: Trash service dilemma
« Reply #6 on: December 05, 2014, 03:22:39 PM »
We did something similar.. we have a large can service and when our new renters moved in we had them put their garbage in our container.

I find I have to be diligent in managing it (i.e not forget to put it out on collection day), otherwise we pretty much fill the container.

The renters pay me an extra $11 a month which pays for my cellphone..:)

Frank

pagoconcheques

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Re: Trash service dilemma
« Reply #7 on: December 05, 2014, 04:24:35 PM »
We had a neighbor who was out of town frequently and another neighbor who lived alone and generated almost zero trash.  She cancelled her trash pickup and used the other neighbor's can in exchange for "keeping an eye out" on the neighbor's house when they were gone. 

We could probably share a can with a neighbor since we seldom fill our cans even 1/3 of the way. 

michaelrecycles

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Re: Trash service dilemma
« Reply #8 on: December 05, 2014, 04:37:06 PM »
I'm sure we could put our trash bags in with my MIL's when I take them out and nobody would notice a thing, but I wanted to get a read on what some of you think.  We are the legal owners of the residence, so I don't suspect it's an issue from that end.  The dumpsters are always less than half-full, so I don't see that we'd be harming anyone else's interests.  We recycle and compost, so I don't know that we can get down to a "zero trash output" household.

What do you think you would do, negotiate with your current provider and change companies if they won't drop their price, add your trash to what's already going to the condo dumpster, or something else entirely?  Thanks.

My first option would be to negotiate with the current provider, and then get quotes from competitors.

Maybe there is "no harm" if you bring your trash over to the condo, but what if many other condo owners had similar situations, brought more outside trash, and the trash capacity then had to increase? Conversely, if the condo community's dumpster is always less than half-full, maybe the HOA should be notified, so they can reduce service/size and save money on HOA fees.

Lifeblood

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Re: Trash service dilemma
« Reply #9 on: December 05, 2014, 04:45:18 PM »
In our town it is required to have trash service, which is available on a weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly basis. Just something to check on before you cancel trash service and receive a fine.

Catbert

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Re: Trash service dilemma
« Reply #10 on: December 06, 2014, 11:53:23 AM »
My guess is that it is "against the rules" at the condo complex.  While you own it, you aren't a resident.  That said I'd take my trash over there is I were you since there is plenty of room in the dumpster.  If the HOA says anything you can always stop.

Calvawt

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Re: Trash service dilemma
« Reply #11 on: December 06, 2014, 11:56:52 AM »
I agree that I would feel okay with it if I owned the condo.  If its against the HOA, I probably wouldn't care (and its doubtful anyone would ever say anything anyway).

Rube

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Re: Trash service dilemma
« Reply #12 on: December 06, 2014, 01:41:43 PM »
We have an ordinance requiring trash removal service. I'm not sure how anyone would ever know.

GoodStash BadStache

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Re: Trash service dilemma
« Reply #13 on: December 06, 2014, 03:10:23 PM »
We don't have any kind of city requirement for trash service, so that shouldn't be an issue.  Since we pay for our service in 3 month intervals I'm covered through the end of January and I'm leaning toward doing a "trial run" of using the condo dumpster for the next few weeks and making sure things go to plan.

Thanks for all of the feedback so far.