Comments on: Trash Scavenging Currently Legal In Decatur

By: lumpintheroad

lumpintheroad — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 16:37:13 +0000

This is the correct answer (and I say this as the managing editor of a trade publication covering solid waste and recycling). Once that material is set at the curb, it belongs to the city/county/private waste hauler. As private citizens, we think of trash and recyclables as stuff we just want taken away, and we don’t care by who. But much of that material has value (which is why it’s being scavenged in the first place), and waste collection programs often depend on recycling revenues to offset operating costs. When the most valuable material is skimmed off the top by scavengers, it throws off the whole equation. This is especially true with pay-as-you-throw programs like Decatur’s.

Now, all of this doesn’t necessarily pertain to old furniture and similar items, and I’m sure many waste handlers are happy to have someone else remove that stuff. Note that this does not extend to appliances like washers, refrigerators, etc., which do contain a lot of valuable material. Actually, New York has had a big problem with discarded appliances being stolen before waste handlers show up to collect them. Article here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/15/nyregion/15fridge.html

By: Marshall

Marshall — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 19:13:07 +0000

Let’s find a solution to a problem that does not exist, shall we?

Is there ANY evidence that Decatur’s recycling contractor has complained about this? Is there ANY evidence that they are going to raise rates because of this “problem?”

If not, then lets leave the poor people who make a few dollars a week recycling my aluminum cans alone, OK?

By: Nancy Wilkinson

Nancy Wilkinson — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 16:55:56 +0000

We have not had aluminum scavengers since we bought the large covered recycling container from the company that does Decatur’s recycling. I expect that it’s more trouble than it’s worth for them to dig down into the container when they can move on down the street and get cans out of the smaller bins provided by the city. And it sure is a lot easier and neater for us to just wheel one container to the curb instead of dragging two or three open bins – I highly recommend investing in one of you recycle a lot of stuff.

By: Naaman Gibbetts

Naaman Gibbetts — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 04:56:18 +0000

Yep, another hyperbolic Decatur snob non-issue.

By: SAHM

SAHM — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 00:23:23 +0000

If you know that is what they want,just put them to the side. BTW in Boston trash picking is a time honored event!