Trash collection/oversize containers (Pittsburgh, York: houses, neighborhood, legally)

[gladhands]

Some morning, my trashcan, as well as those of many of my neighbors were slapped with stickers saying that the trash cans were over the 35 gallon limit, and would no longer be serviced. No this is always been the policy, but I'm not even sure that all of the trash cans were over 35 gallons. I think it's OK to post such restrictions when cities collect trash two or more times a week, but with a weekly trash collection, this restriction just encourages people to throw trash bags on the sidewalk. I love New York City, but not because the sidewalks are covered with trash bags.

Don't even get me started on biweekly recycling.

[Moby Hick]

I knew my trashcan was too big, so I always just put out the trash using the big black trash bags. Then the raccoon started tearing into it, so I put it in the oversized container, but still in those big bags. Haven't had trouble with that. The guys just take the bags and don't have to dump an oversized container.

My recycling gets pretty bad over two weeks. Sometimes I just go to the bar so that my neighbors don't see such a big pile of bottles.

[PghYinzer]

I have never done anything other than set my trash bags on the street, am I doing this wrong?? My trashcans that are along the side of my porch have cinder blocks in them to keep them from blowing away, so I never drag them to the curb. I also basically only have one small kitchen bag of trash a week, so its not an issue.

I know I put out an oddly small amount of trash and recycling, but it always blows my mind when I see houses with 5-6 large black trash bags for a week. What is going on inside that house???

[gladhands]

Originally Posted by PghYinzer

I have never done anything other than set my trash bags on the street, am I doing this wrong?? My trashcans that are along the side of my porch have cinder blocks in them to keep them from blowing away, so I never drag them to the curb. I also basically only have one small kitchen bag of trash a week, so its not an issue.

I know I put out an oddly small amount of trash and recycling, but it always blows my mind when I see houses with 5-6 large black trash bags for a week. What is going on inside that house???

We generate a tall kitchen bag of diapers, alone.

[ferraris]

For a year or so I put my bags directly on the curb. The practice is really widespread in Pittsburgh, but once I found out we are allowed to use containers I started to (it's that widespread that I wasn't even sure it was allowed).

I think a good portion of Pittsburgh's litter problem can be attributed to trash bags being put directly on the ground. Animals and windy days can wreak havoc, and just one trash bag can really have a lot of trash once it starts blowing all over the place.

[Moby Hick]

Originally Posted by PghYinzer

I have never done anything other than set my trash bags on the street, am I doing this wrong??

According to my wife, who read the trash rules, that's what you're supposed to do. Except for the raccoons won't let me.

[DaisyDaisy]

Originally Posted by Moby Hick

According to my wife, who read the trash rules, that's what you're supposed to do. Except for the raccoons won't let me.

We put the bags out early in the morning, which only works if the garbage truck doesn't also serve as an alarm clock.

[ferraris]

Originally Posted by Moby Hick

According to my wife, who read the trash rules, that's what you're supposed to do. Except for the raccoons won't let me.

Either way is permitted. I'm shocked they actually allowthe bags alone; I figured it was in "parking chair" territory legally.

Department of Public Works | Refuse

Place refuse out for collection in a container with a tight-fitting lid not exceeding 35 gallons in capacity OR in sealed plastic bags/bundles less than three feet in length

At the least, they do require containers with lids until collection day:

Refuse shall be stored until collection in durable, water-tight containers having a close, fitting lid

[Goinback2011]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCTyasDmWrs

[eschaton]

Since we have a "high side house" moving the trash cans down to the sidewalk is a total PITA. We just leave the bags out. Thankfully we don't seem to have any raccoons in the neighborhood.

In my experience, Pittsburgh waste collection will accept virtually anything. Bag full of lathe with rusty nails? No problem. Old couch? Why not! So it's odd they'd have a cow about oversize trash cans.