Trash Tuesday

Woke up this morning full of vigor, almost. Stretched, let out my morning grunt and plodded to the kitchen to put on the coffee. With cup in hand, I reviewed the internet stuff, checked the calendar and email, always a first thing since the newspaper doesn’t show up very early.  Slowly as the caffeine began to take hold, I realized that today, yes TODAY is our weekly trash pickup day. WOW! That put a little zip in my step. Kind of rushed through the morning routine – internet, paper, crossword puzzle and first 2 cups of coffee because our weekly contribution to the landfill and recyclers MUST be at the curb no later than 7:00 a.m.

Now I am not questioning the dedication of our city bureaucrats but I really don’t think trash pickup deadlines are an effective use of our talent. If you should happen to oversleep on Tuesday and get your trash out to the curb at 7:13 a.m. you are likely to receive the dreaded yellow tag. This tag explains the reason for your contribution being refused. “Not at the curb by 7:00 a.m.” is right there.

Being retired has some benefits and one of those is to check out each vehicle that passes my house.  I know it is hard to visualize with my schedule and such but I do manage to find the time. I will often enlist the keen eyes of Sue, my current wife.  We have documented that our sanitary engineering civil servants DO NOT grace out street until 10:30 or so at the earliest. We have 3 trucks to provide for – the non-recyclable trash, recyclable paper and cardboard (the Curbie) and compostable materials (the Yardie). A fourth truck pickups recyclable glassware (must be unbroken).  Some energy saving system, huh?

The city has a person whose responsibility it is to check everyone to insure their trash is curbside by 7.  If not, they come back and place a sticker on it when you do get it out there. The sanitary engineers will than not pick up your donation that week.  Now I’m not the sharpest knife in the drawer but this system seems to be flawed.

Today, I succeeded in beating the deadline by 10 full minutes. Now to my coffee with the satisfaction that I complied with the city dictates on this beautiful Tuesday. Yes, it will be a great day. Ummmm, french roast is great!

Have a great Tuesday.