Today is Trash Day in my sleepy neighborhood.
You might construe that I mean trash pick-up-day. You would be incorrect. I mean today is throw-your-trash-in the-street day. Because when it’s windy (which seems to be everyday in Penfield) and people put out their garbage and recyclables – milk cartons, corrugated boxes, junk mail, and newspapers (although I think I’m the only D&C subscriber on my street) – they spill onto yards and roll into the street.
I’m not judging, just documenting my awareness of trash.
It’s fascinating, really. Our garbage collector gives us a rolling tote with a lid so garbage stays contained. (Unless you happen to overfill it and the lid flies open so that your trash chases my dog down the street. True story.) Monroe County and our waste management company also gives residents tips for waste removal and recycle guidelines on their respective websites.
I wonder why we don’t get covers for our recyclables for free?
It appears that the county is concerned about windblown litter on our streets. The county goes so far as to recommend covers that residents can purchase and help keep our streets trash free on recycling days. However, Monroe County states on its website that while they don’t endorse any particular product or service, they do provide the links to three cover solutions. At $20 plus a top? No thanks.
My neighbors put out their trash and recyclables in the morning. Unlike garbage, recyclables are picked up in the afternoon. The weather changes. The wind increases and lifts up trash from the open recyclable containers and paints the town with it. This morning I watched junk mail fly over my head towards the town park. I did manage to catch a box and plastic milk container twirling in the street and shove them into a neighbor’s trash can, which was overfilled. I’m not sure if anything else blew out because my dog was staring at me from the middle of the street like I was some crazy lady.
Can we fine Mother Nature for littering? Or should we fine ourselves for stupidity?
Here’s one solution: put a brick (or two) on top of recyclables. Don’t worry the guys who pick up your stuff don’t take the brick. They take the recyclables and dump the brick in your yard. No biggie. The point is: your trash won’t take off, I won’t have to pick up the trash that flies in my path, and my dog won’t live in fear of trash.
What do you think? Send me an email, post a comment on my blog or Facebook.
