I have an interest in the garbage business
Why is garbage collection so different depending on where you live? Shouldn’t this be simple, uniform, and straightforward?
In San Jose, local politicians will organize San Jose Dumpster Days. Originally, this was the practice where dumpster would be dispatched to neighborhoods to dump your unwanted household items. I once rescued a nice and gently-used Webber barbecue once from the claws of recycling.
It’s popping this morning at our Alviso Dumpster Day! Multiple bins already filled and we’ve got a truck driving around to pick up illegal dumping as well. #SJD4 #BeautifySJ #WeAreSanJose pic.twitter.com/U77U3nzmBC
— Lan Diep (@SanJoseD4) December 5, 2020
As folks would show up from outside of the neighborhood to dump stuff, it has now become the equivalent of underground raves from the 90s. You have to subscribe to a list, and be admitted and notified a day before the event of the location.
Dumpster days are nice, but do create a hassle for those without a pickup truck. Luckily my 2005 Volvo station wagon still goes strong and can haul a bunch of stuff.
The city of Santa Clara has a much different approach. Santa Clara organizes an Annual Cleanup. You dump any household garbage in big piles in the street and bulldozers will scoop it up and dump it into dumpster trucks.
Santa Clara annual cleanup is a joke. One of the multiple trash piles that's been growing for nearly 2 wks @SCCgov pic.twitter.com/bQPg4oKVxC
— Brian Sim (@briansim) May 13, 2016
I am surprised two neighboring cities have such a different approach to recycling and garbage collection.
In my native Belgium, recycling and garbage is much more detailed, organized, and costly at the same time. Nevertheless, the system seems to work.
Perhaps the answer lies elsewhere.