One trick to minimizing - not sure on "ethics"

[pstu24]

Long story short - there are only three of us in my family. We pay slightly over $30 per month on trash, and in a mid-sized city that we are in we only go through about 1 full size (hefty - construction style) trash bag every 2 - 3 weeks ... sometimes once a month. Why should I pay $30 a month for unlimited pick up? So, while I am open to other options ... I discovered that I can just take my single bag of trash 6 minutes away to my place of employment and drop off the bag every few weeks.

Only question is, should I keep paying for trash? That's almost $400 per year just in waste. My employer doesn't care about one bag. The ethics are questionable, but no-one is getting hurt. AND, if I can cancel it, then won't it be a slight reminder / incentive to try to minimize what I throw out?

Let me know if there's a flaw in my thinking!

[Cassie]

Where we live you can't cancel it. So when our house was empty while we were trying to sell it we had to pay for garbage even though there was none.  If our employer does not mind I don't see an issue.

[Syonyk]

Let me know if there's a flaw in my thinking!

It meets many corporate definitions of "Waste, fraud, and abuse"?  Making your company pay for your home trash service, without explicit permission, seems like the type of thing that leads to entertaining firings in a few years.

If you go through that little trash, look into your local transfer station/dump/whatever-it-is-people-use-for-large-things, and find out what the minimum charge is.  If you don't mind storing your trash for a few months, you should be able to get away much cheaper that way than with weekly trash service.

Alternately, see if there's some sort of "tag" system you can use.  My parents (Chicago suburbs) have to buy trash stickers for the cans - you can put out cans every week, once a month, whatever - you just have to put a sticker around the handle.  So, you only pay for the pickups you use.

[southern granny]

Also in my city, you cannot cancel trash pickup to a home that is connected to other utilities.  Probably, so that people don't try to save money by taking their trash elsewhere and maybe dumping it illegally. 

[minority_finance_mo]

I'd float the idea by your employer first. Maybe phrase it as: "We're trying to save some money for X (kid's school, big vacation, whatever), and we spend a ton on trash removal each year. Would you mind if I brought a bag of trash here every couple of weeks to toss with everything we through out. Absolutely no pressure - let me know what you think."

This way you get permission. My rule of thumb is if you have to ask if something is ethical, it's probably not. So better to ask explicitly.

[Classical_Liberal]

If you can cancel it.  Ask a neighbor if you can pay by the bag.

[JAYSLOL]

I struggle with this also as i don't have garbage pickup at my house.  I do landscaping and usually end up at a city landfill at the end of the day where they don't mind the odd small bag of trash thrown into the garbage bin while unloading landscape debris.  There are a few commercial sites i work that have weekly pickup no matter how full or empty the bin is, so i don't feel too bad about throwing one small bag in sometimes when they aren't very full.  I only throw trash into bins on sites i actually work at, not random businesses.  If i have a lot of garbage at once I pay to dump it at the landfill rather than try to get it into a bin somewhere.  I usually only pay for 3 or 4 dump runs in my car a year (works out to $20-30 total), the rest is all free.

[Goldy]

If your work has a weekly pickup so they aren't paying only when it is full I don't see much of a problem with it.  You could also split the bill with your neighbor.

[Scandium]

I'd float the idea by your employer first. Maybe phrase it as: "We're trying to save some money for X (kid's school, big vacation, whatever), and we spend a ton on trash removal each year. Would you mind if I brought a bag of trash here every couple of weeks to toss with everything we through out. Absolutely no pressure - let me know what you think."

This way you get permission. My rule of thumb is if you have to ask if something is ethical, it's probably not. So better to ask explicitly.

Would also ask this via email, not (only) in person so that you have proof that you got permission. The person you ask might later forget or deny giving you permission, or change jobs in the future.

[Fishindude]

Drop yours and pay your neighbor $15 per month to put your trash in theirs.

[I'm a red panda]

My employer doesn't care about one bag. The ethics are questionable, but no-one is getting hurt.

Are you sure they don't care? I'd get it in writing.

One bag from you may not seem like much; but one bag from everyone adds up and would cost your employer a ton. Your shareholders (if you are public) are the ones getting hurt by this; the bottom line (and employees salaries) get hurt.

In my office it would be abusing company resources. No different from taking home paperclips or post its. It seems small; but it is still stealing from the company resources. Do you really want to lose your job over a bag of trash?

[pstu24]

For those of you who were wondering about me putting trash in with employers ... no there wouldn't be an issue because they pay by a set rate for unlimited trash pickup. So whether it was just me, or every single employee bringing in a bag of trash every couple of weeks - I honestly don't think there would be a problem.

The only reason I brought up ethics is because I would be eliminating paying for a utility that I would otherwise use, but would toss it into one of the dumpsters at the place of employment. And the other side of the argument is the small-city I live in only has an unlimited option. So why should I pay the same $30 per month as my neighbor across the street? They have 3 dogs and 4 kids. They also go through approx 3-4 full cans per week. I have a bag every few weeks. But we are both forced to pay the same price. That was the only reason I was bringing up ethics. As far as employer's point of view? They flat out do not care. Almost laughed because I asked and said no-one would even notice (somewhat large organization). I guess the issue now is verifying whether I can even get out of the service ... but I think it's a good habit because it will force us to minimize waste even more!

[Syonyk]

As long as they don't care...

[MrsDinero]

In almost every county I have lived in, the trash dump allows homeowners to drop off household trash.  Some times they charge a small fee, sometimes they don't.  Have you looked into this before considering your employer?  This would take care of the ethical question.

[HPstache]

People have gotten in trouble using our dumpster at work without permission

[Bicycle_B]

I get suspicious when someone says "it would be ok" without having confirmation that it is ok.

That said, if everything is as you describe, it seems ok to me.  My reasoning is that if you don't have them stop at your house, you are saving the city money.  Your personal effort of dropping the trash in the employer's dumpster saved on the city's labor costs. 

It's probably not as much savings as the $30 or so that you pay now.  But as you point out, your usage is far lower than average too.  So doing a little work to save them time might be a fair balance.

[Scandium]

The only reason I brought up ethics is because I would be eliminating paying for a utility that I would otherwise use, but would toss it into one of the dumpsters at the place of employment. And the other side of the argument is the small-city I live in only has an unlimited option. So why should I pay the same $30 per month as my neighbor across the street? They have 3 dogs and 4 kids. They also go through approx 3-4 full cans per week. I have a bag every few weeks. But we are both forced to pay the same price.

Welcome to socialism

[Toffeemama]

Keep your trash for a few weeks, then take it to the dump.  No ethical dilemma, still saving plenty of money even if there's a fee.

[mr_orange]

It always amazes me when people rationalize theft.  This is clearly a theft of services without obtaining permission:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theft_of_services

Work out some arrangement before you do this.  Get it in writing as others have said. 

[Slee_stack]

It always amazes me when people rationalize theft.  This is clearly a theft of services without obtaining permission:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theft_of_services

Work out some arrangement before you do this.  Get it in writing as others have said.

Agree.  OP is really presumptuous about this.

I don't sense the OP is intentionally trying to get away with anything but is still missing perspective.

[lizzzi]

I think it's better not to get involved in things like this with an employer, no matter how insignificant the situation seems. Keep business matters pertaining to your personal and home life completely separate from business matters having to do with the workplace. You will never get into any trouble nor create any awkward situations with bosses or places of employment if you Keep It Separate.

[honeybbq]

It is illegal dumping here. Be careful.

[BudgetSlasher]

I just want to echo what other's have said; forget ethically questionable and understand it is likely either illegal and justifiable grounds for dismissal, if not both.
 

[Tjat]

Even if logically it makes sense, I could see some mid level nobody getting a self righteous power trip over disciplining you for it

[lizzzi]

+1  That's why you just don't do it.

[FIRE me]

People have gotten in trouble using our dumpster at work without permission

One female where I work put a whole kitchen in the company compactor. She was having her kitchen remodeled; new cabinets, counters, floor, appliances and sink. It all went into the compactor.

After they figured out it was full, rather than broken or jammed, they had to call for an extra pick up.

She is a long time worthless employee, and I have no idea why they did not fire her.

[LouLou]

For those of you who were wondering about me putting trash in with employers ... no there wouldn't be an issue because they pay by a set rate for unlimited trash pickup. So whether it was just me, or every single employee bringing in a bag of trash every couple of weeks - I honestly don't think there would be a problem.

You cannot unilaterally decide that there is no issue.  Your employer gets to decide.  Your employer may not care at all, or they may have some reason to say no.  (For example, there are certain rules for that your employer has to follow to maintain its insurance that you are not even aware of).  You need to ask first. 

In almost every county I have lived in, the trash dump allows homeowners to drop off household trash.  Some times they charge a small fee, sometimes they don't.  Have you looked into this before considering your employer?  This would take care of the ethical question.

This seems like a great option.  Asking a neighbor works too.  If one of my neighbors said, "Hey, can I put a bag of trash in your cans every couple of weeks?" I would say yes.  But get permission first.

[Beardog]

Sorta similar situation ... My employer gets the Wall Street Journal, which I like to read.  I asked our facilities staff where the paper was recycled to, thinking I might retrieve the paper from recycling the next day, and he suggested that I just take the paper when I leave because it is likely no one else will want read it before the end of the day.  (I leave before most staff.)  I only had to think about how I would feel if my manager walked up when I was taking the paper to know that I wasn't really feel comfortable doing this.

I suggest the OP consider how comfortable he would be explaining what he is doing to his direct manager or a senior manager.  If he is totally comfortable doing that, then he is probably OK.

[BlueHouse]

I think it's better not to get involved in things like this with an employer, no matter how insignificant the situation seems. Keep business matters pertaining to your personal and home life completely separate from business matters having to do with the workplace. You will never get into any trouble nor create any awkward situations with bosses or places of employment if you Keep It Separate.

+1000
Don't shit at your workplace.

[soccerluvof4]

We cant stop paying for trash in our area either BUT what I have found in doing a lot of remodeling is that I keep a pile in my garage until I have a full load and in it is plenty of garbage. There is plenty of construction going on these days so I just drive up to where there is a dumpster with 10$ in my pocket and ask a worker if I can toss somethings in the dumpster. I would bet I have dumped 1 if not 2 dumpsters of shit away and they always say "go ahead don't worry about it" and wont take the money. 1 bag of garbage a month I see being easy at least where i live to dispose. Like one said just give it to your neighbor and toss a couple of  bucks or by them a gift at the end of the year.

[chucklesmcgee]

I'd count it as de minimis use. I bet you also charge your personal cell phone with company power, write short personal notes with company pens on company paper and take personal poops in company toilets involving food not consumed during work time. The cost to the employer is insignificant if not zero of disposing of your trash- simply because it saves you money doesn't make it unethical!

[abhe8]

Would it be easier/better/worse//different if you brought a small Walmart sack half full of trash every day? Toss in the regular trash can on your way in from the parking lot?

Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk

[Rubic]

I'd count it as de minimis use. I bet you also charge your personal cell phone with company power, write short personal notes with company pens on company paper and take personal poops in company toilets involving food not consumed during work time. The cost to the employer is insignificant if not zero of disposing of your trash- simply because it saves you money doesn't make it unethical!

[Emphasis mine.]

As an employer, I would concur.  I'd get irritated if I saw an employee
unloading an entire trunk full of waste into our dumpster, but a single
bag would be okay.  I've done it myself.  Not to save money (my trash
pickup is included in our HOA fees), but just for convenience when
I've had some rubbish in the car while on my way to the office.

[acroy]

I'd count it as de minimis use. I bet you also charge your personal cell phone with company power, write short personal notes with company pens on company paper and take personal poops in company toilets involving food not consumed during work time. The cost to the employer is insignificant if not zero of disposing of your trash- simply because it saves you money doesn't make it unethical!

[Emphasis mine.]

As an employer, I would concur.  I'd get irritated if I saw an employee
unloading an entire trunk full of waste into our dumpster, but a single
bag would be okay.  I've done it myself.  Not to save money (my trash
pickup is included in our HOA fees), but just for convenience when
I've had some rubbish in the car while on my way to the office.

^^ this!
Just check with the employer. Don't worry about 'getting it in writing' - thats a bit extreme for a garbage bag :)

[AZDude]

Long story short - there are only three of us in my family. We pay slightly over $30 per month on trash, and in a mid-sized city that we are in we only go through about 1 full size (hefty - construction style) trash bag every 2 - 3 weeks ... sometimes once a month. Why should I pay $30 a month for unlimited pick up? So, while I am open to other options ... I discovered that I can just take my single bag of trash 6 minutes away to my place of employment and drop off the bag every few weeks.

Only question is, should I keep paying for trash? That's almost $400 per year just in waste. My employer doesn't care about one bag. The ethics are questionable, but no-one is getting hurt. AND, if I can cancel it, then won't it be a slight reminder / incentive to try to minimize what I throw out?

Let me know if there's a flaw in my thinking!

Why don't you offer your neighbor a pro-rated amount to use their service? $30/month total, so you offer them $5 per bag to use their service.

[mm1970]

I would check with your employer.  It doesn't sound like a big deal, but make sure they are okay with it first.

We don't use much trash anymore.  We recycle a lot.  In our area, you aren't required to have trash pickup - you can pay to drop it off at the transfer station.  It used to be $9 and now I think it's $15 for "untarped loads", aka, a car's worth or less.

My next door neighbor does not get trash pickup.  He's a business owner and pays for it at work, so he just takes it over there. 

I throw stuff out at work all the time, when cleaning out my car.  I charge my phone at work.  But then, I use my home internet to work at home.  And I use my own paper and pens at home to work at home, and my own data plan on my own phone to answer work issues.

[Greenback Reproduction Specialist]

My grand parents still, to this day do not pay for trash service. They compost food waste and burn paper trash, what little trash they do have goes into a plastic grocery sack under their sink. Then when they go shopping(a few times per week), they drop it in the trash can sitting outside the front door, or at a gas station trash can next to the pumps.

[GuitarStv]

The only reason I brought up ethics is because I would be eliminating paying for a utility that I would otherwise use, but would toss it into one of the dumpsters at the place of employment. And the other side of the argument is the small-city I live in only has an unlimited option. So why should I pay the same $30 per month as my neighbor across the street? They have 3 dogs and 4 kids. They also go through approx 3-4 full cans per week. I have a bag every few weeks. But we are both forced to pay the same price.

Welcome to socialism

The problem hasn't really got anything to do with socialism.  Paying a government service to pick up garbage is not significantly different for the user than paying a private garbage service (except perhaps that standardization of service means that it's a little easier to monitor and regulate waste materials).

'Welcome to a bad fee structure' would be more apt.  If there was a set rate per bag, or multiple sizes of cans with different rates the problem would be solved.  Many government run garbage pick-ups (like the one I've got) follow better fee structures.

[Scandium]

The only reason I brought up ethics is because I would be eliminating paying for a utility that I would otherwise use, but would toss it into one of the dumpsters at the place of employment. And the other side of the argument is the small-city I live in only has an unlimited option. So why should I pay the same $30 per month as my neighbor across the street? They have 3 dogs and 4 kids. They also go through approx 3-4 full cans per week. I have a bag every few weeks. But we are both forced to pay the same price.

Welcome to socialism

The problem hasn't really got anything to do with socialism.  Paying a government service to pick up garbage is not significantly different for the user than paying a private garbage service (except perhaps that standardization of service means that it's a little easier to monitor and regulate waste materials).

'Welcome to a bad fee structure' would be more apt.  If there was a set rate per bag, or multiple sizes of cans with different rates the problem would be solved.  Many government run garbage pick-ups (like the one I've got) follow better fee structures.

I meant only in the sense that (responsibile, frugal) people who use a service little still have to pay the same and subsidize those who use (abuse..) it alot.

But I do like calling socialism a "bad fee structure". I might steal that.

[Dicey]

Where I live it's supposedly mandatory. A single friend who travels a LOT cancelled her service with no penalty. When she is around, she has three friends in different parts of town that she rotates using their trash cans. We all know each other, so she's become kind of a courrier. "Here B, will you give this to M?" or "I have some extra [fill in the blank], I'll give it to B to share with y'all." She also shares when she finds screaming deals on things or takes orders for the discount store that's too far away for weekly trips. At most she has one small bag of trash and one medium bag of recycling per month to add to my can.

It takes a village, man. You can figure out a way to do it that carries far less risk and is less ethically sticky.

[gggggg]

My work would probably frown on it, but they'd never fire us over something this petty (you almost have to commit multiple felonies to get fired here). It's prob going to be a different answer for everyone.

[MgoSam]

As someone that runs a small business, we wouldn't care if an employee were to bring in stuff to toss so long as

a. They don't make a mess hauling it in
b. It doesn't overfill our dumpster
c. It doesn't take away from work

We're a small company, so we can be very flexible when we need to be. When one of our employees was moving he asked to store a ton of stuff in our warehouse and since it was space that wasn't already being used I didn't see any harm in allowing it.

Now for your area, you should see if you are allowed to not have garbage removal services. I know some areas require it.

As for offering to split it with your neighbor, that can be a grey area. The way I see it is what if everyone split the bill with your next door neighbor, then what would happen? I live in a 6 unit association, the rates would change (or the disposal company would go out of business) if we all just split $5 and piled out garbage together.