New trash can

[jesse_dylan]

I'm super excited that the city gave me (us all) a new trash can. We could choose S, M or L. I'm sure for some people, an L isn't even big enough (some people throw away sooooo much stuff). I don't throw much away, and plus it's just me, Sophie the cat, and several robot vacuums here. I'd probably have been fine with an S. The M is pretty big!

This is the next step on our billion-year journey toward recycling (began only because our landfill is not only finally full but also leeching into the ground... because it was originally lined with clay and never meant to last more than 50 years, and this was probably 75+ years ago... good planning, guys).

So now our can is just part of the trash service we pay for. I think having to use a can will get people to throw less away.

The cans are designed so that one person driving a truck can do all the work, without getting out of the truck. I wonder what will happen to the other people. It used to be someone driving the truck and 2-3 more people hanging off the back/sides. Maybe they work elsewhere for the city now. Or maybe they are on unemployment.

The can is made in the USA. I don't know how/why that happened, but I was happy to see it. It's a nice can, too. BUT IS IT BEAR-PROOF?

I am perplexed where it warns users not to put it near roads/driveways. It has to be near a road/driveway in order to be used. In fact, it has to be as near the road as possible so the garbage truck's arm or whatever can pick it up. They're not going to drive into your garage and get it for you.

Comments

[raynedanser]

Bear proof is so important! We're fortunate that the biggest we usually have to deal with are coons and skunks, but our neighbors have had bear problems in the past. . .

[jesse_dylan]

They are definitely not bear-proof. Crafty bear would just have to tip it over, and boom. Bet a raccoon could figure out how to lift the lid. I am thinking they are squirrel-proof, though, probably, and I think that would be the only threat around here, other than a big smart dog. :) Or maybe if a group of turkeys teamed up!

I wonder what kinds of creatures lived here before humans took it over. :( There are still deer and turkeys here, sometimes in amazing places. I saw a skunk once. That was neat. I thought, "What a strange cat," and then realized. We both stayed pretty calm, and then the skunk smartly took off at top speed (smartly because people are dangerous, not because I'm dangerous).

I know there were buffalo here, or at least nearby if not this exact spot. It was (is) a river valley (I live above the river valley), so I really do bet there were buffalo here.

Anyway, sorry for the reverie. They are not bear-proof, but they don't need to be. I agree with you that bear-proofing is 100% important for areas where there is even a tiny chance of bear contact! It's not fair to the bears to not bear-proof. They are so easily tainted by our garbage, literally.

[raynedanser]

You're so lucky that's all that happened with the skunk encounter. We have them all over the place here - as well as deer, moose, eagles, raccoons, turkeys, loons, fox, coyotes, badgers (nasty things, they're mean!), rabbits... I love Maine!

I always wonder about "before" and things, so no apologies needed. :)

ETA:
Oh! And porcupine!

[jesse_dylan]

I think we used to have all those things! :(

Seemed like a pretty docile skunk to me, though I'm sure if it had felt threatened, it would not have hesitated to use its defenses.

I did see a deer today (not in town). That's always nice.

[raynedanser]

We saw/heard a hawk on last weekend's hike. I'm hoping on my walk this weekend I see wildlife as well. Or I may go Thursday before everyone is up. Not sure.

[zesty_pinto]

Ooo shiny!

For some reason, seeing photos of Phoenix just makes me hope it can handle heat. I doubt you encounter Phoenix temperatures, but can't get the melting can out of my head.

[jesse_dylan]

It's supposed to be up in the 100s next week, actually... I think it can handle that, though! Guess we'll find out!

[rocket_to_neptune]

We got one, too, but it was too big to fit through our "sally port," because Doug didn't specify the size. Ha. So he gave it to a neighbor. Sigh. It was exciting, though, before we realized it was too big.

Do you actually need yours to be bear proof? Apparently the new ones around here are supposed to be rat proof, but we've been told they are in fact not.

[jesse_dylan]

Hehe. No, I think these are safe from anything around here, unless a dog or deer or squirrel was really, really crafty.