I try. I really do.

[LuckyCharms]

I put the garbage on the curb last night. I noticed it was still there at 930 am. They normally collect at 600 am.

I walked up and down my street and noticed that I was the only house on my street where the garbage had not been picked up.

I called the appropriate department at the Town. In an overly polite and friendly voice, I explained the situation. The response from the person on the phone was to ask for my address and phone number. I gave the information to her, and asked why she wanted my phone number. She explained that she was going to call the foreman and she would call me back if they were not going to pick it up today. I said that since the department was open until 400 today, why wouldn't you come and pick it up? She said she would have to ask the foreman. I felt my blood pressure rise, but said ok, then said goodbye.

Garbage collection is included in my taxes. I hate to be one of those people, but I guess someone has to be. The town garbage men are well known for fucking with people just to relieve their boredom. About 15 years ago, they went for 3 weeks straight like this...they collected everyone on the street except for me and 2 neighbors on either side of me. 3 weeks. I complained to no avail. So, rather than bring all of this garbage to the dump myself, I loaded it into the pickup that I had at the time (3 houses worth), drove all those bags to the Town Office building, and with big fanfare, dumped the garbage in one of their hallways in front of a bunch of people.

Never had much of a problem after that episode. Now, they are starting their shit again.

The correct response for the person on the phone should have been "I'm sorry about that. We will be there soon to get the garbage". Instead, it has to become a problem. And the way they operate, it will become a huge problem. Because they like to fuck around. Motherfuckers. Just another thing.

[guillaumeb]

1. Was there any obstacle to picking it up?

Such as a vehicle parked in front of the house?

I ask because they might have a rule about how close they can drive to a parked vehicle.

[LuckyCharms]

2. No. No one parks in the street.

The whole street is always clear. The garbage was placed on the curb in a neat manner. Code was followed.

[guillaumeb]

3. One suggestion would be to contact the local media outlets,

including television. Also consider a letter to the local paper. However, expect city officials to not appreciate your efforts.

Good luck.

[LuckyCharms]

4. Thanks. I'll end up calling a board member.

The thing is, I hate to complain about workers. But if you don't, they keep doing it. It's always talked about around here. They think it is hilarious for some reason. They're a bunch of assholes, but I still don't want them to lose their jobs. The hallway incident occurred after I exhausted all other possibilities.

[guillaumeb]

5. It sounds like an excellent stunt.

I agree about complaining.

[LuckyCharms]

6. About 6 years after the first incident, I made it a point to go out and shoot the shit

with the garbage men. Got friendly with them. After that, they went out of their way not to throw the empty cans 2 miles away from where I left them, etc. My guess is they have a new crew for my street.

[shraby]

7. Don't feel bad, we had to let the collectors know it was not

acceptable to throw the recycle bin at the place they picked it up after they emptied it. We have to pay for a replacement when it gets broken. It wasn't just us, but everybody.
They are much more careful now when putting it back where it was.

[LuckyCharms]

9. It usually works to talk to the men/women directly. That's what I try

if I can catch them.

Here's a story...there are houses just on one side of my street. The other side is the edge of a golf course. So many years ago, the people on our street asked the town if they could plow all of the snow to the other side of the street so we would not have to dig out our driveways at the curb. they agreed and did it for years. Then they stopped. Last year I think, there was a crippling snow storm here. real bad. The plowman plowed me in. On his next go around on the street I flagged him down. he stopped and he looked like he was ready for a fight. I just asked him how he was holding up with all of this snow. He said he's been up plowing for 14 hours, etc. So I told him that I appreciated the good job he was doing and he lit right up smiling. Then I said, hey man could you do me a favor? He said sure. I said...would you mind plowing the snow to the other side of the street so my old self doesn't get a heart attack? and could you tell the rest of the guys on the crew also? He said sure man! No problem!

Now when I see him he stops his plow and talks for a couple of minutes lol.

[LuckyCharms]

8. Holy shit the truck just came and got it.

That's a first!

[Shrike47]

10. Think calm thoughts, dear. Its better for your blood pressure.

[rsdsharp]

11. Several years ago I lived in Des Moines. (I live in a suburb now)

Des Moines had what I called the garbage Nazis. Actually, it was more like the recycling Nazis. We used green bins to recycle. Newspaper on the bottom, cans and bottles on top of the newspaper and cardboard stuffed down the side of the bin held in place by the newspaper.

One day I came home about noon, and realized that all of my neighbors recycling bins had been emptied; mine hadn't. I called the appropriate authorities, and they sent someone out. I met him at the curb as he was inspecting the bin. He told me they couldn't pick it up because there was a can underneath a newspaper. (One can under one newspaper). I told him to wait a minute. I picked up the bin, walked back to the house and emptied it into the garbage can. I walked back and handed it to him and told him to leave and take the bin with him. I sputtered that I couldn't do that. I reminded him that recycling was voluntary and that I wasn't going to play his bullshit games. He apologized, I took back the bin and never had another problem.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

12. In Philly recycling (when I lived there) was mandatory

It was enforced in certain areas including mine. If I put a plastic bottle in the trash, I'd be fined $25.

[frogmarch]

13. I'm lucky I live in a small town

where the trash is collected from the alley dumpsters twice a week. I'm also lucky I never got drunk and climbed into one to keep warm and sleep it off undisturbed by the cops, only to end up collected and mashed to death by the trash truck like one man here did several years ago.

[Freddie]

14. Holiday week

My trash day is Wed. but they collected yesterday due to the Monday holiday. We usually get a robo-call when this happens.