Historical October 1986 report or notice. Original dates, prices and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
No, you do not have a new dumpster in the alley behind your home! • The Skinker-DeBaliviere Community Council recently asked Block Captains to distribute flyers which explain the do’s and don’ts for dumpsters.
The flyers were originally printed and distributed by the Refuse Division when the City converted to the automated refuse collection system over two years ago. Apparently the flyer caused some confusion because it explains the “new” system, which, of course, is not new anymore. So, the system isn’t new, the containers aren’t new, and the rules for proper use of them aren’t new either.
But judging by the appearance of our alleys and the number of calls and complaints about dumpsters received over the summer, it seemed a refresher course on the proper use of dumpsters was in order.
Here is what you should do: 1. Place the following items in the container: • paper — cans — etc. • garbage — We encourage the draining and wrapping of garbage. • cardboard boxes — Break them down and flatten them to save space. – grass and leaves • small hedge and bush trimmings — 3 ft. or less in length 2. Keep the lid closed! 3.
If the container nearest you is full, you use a neighboring container which is not full. 4. Place all refuse IN the container — refuse piled up on the ground around the container will not be picked up.
Here is what you should not do: 1. Do not place the following items in the container: • large tree limbs, hedge, or bush limbs — over 3 feet in length or over 1 ft. in diameter. – flammable liquids • steel and metal products • furniture, appliances, etc. — items too large for containers should be placed at your regular collection point away from the container for bulk collection during the week of the 1st Monday of every month. Place these items (not more than 3) at the collection point no later than 6:00 AM on Monday morning. 2. Do not move or turn the containers. 3. Do not place commercial refuse in the containers. 4. Do not pile trash on the ground around the containers. Violaters will be cited.
The major abuse in our area seems to be overloading dumpsters. Be warned: The City owns one truck to service all of the dumpsters the regular trucks cannot, for any reason, empty.
This truck loads the dumpster, drives it to an incinerator, empties it, and then returns it. Needless to say, there is a back-log for this truck’s service.
The bottom line is, if your dumpster cannot be picked up by a regular truck, it will take, on average, four to five weeks for it to be emptied.
One final comment: If you have a question about how to dispose of something; or, if you’re not sure when the next bulk collection is scheduled; or, if you can’t remember where to place bulk items for pick-up, please ask. Call the SDCC office (862-5122) or the Refuse Division (353-8877).
Original photograph caption
View of neighborhood alley. Photo by King Schoenfeld. The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, October 1986, page 6.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, October 1986.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1986_10.pdf, printed page(s) 6; PDF page(s) 6.
