trash by existance not valume

[shadows]

Once again  the  trash  dragon  raises it ‘s  head .   It is the same dragon  that existed some years  back  when the  trash  disposal  was to be accessed  on  square footage of the structure  not the  volume trash  those in the  building created.   This was abounded when the city attorney told the court that the city would come up with a more equable solution and the court tabled any finding until another solution was presented. 

This time it is containers sizes not the amount of trash the cost is based on.   This leaves one to visualize an upscale neighborhood, like Tulsans are building, where before going to work the resident sets the trash carts out at the curb for the day, to be scattered by the prevailing Oklahoma winds, thus they become traffic hazards.

There will be slight increase in trash bills to pay for the carts although the citizens have already been overcharged for the trash handling by millions of dollars.    .

It is quite possible that Tulsa will need a TRASH COP department to find the carts equipped with radio signaling chips and return them to their assigned residences …  The bright side is that Tulsa will create more government jobs and another political bureaucracy.  . 

[RecycleMichael]

This time it is containers sizes not the amount of trash the cost is based on.   

How would you propose to measure the amount of trash instead?

[TheArtist]

  Just to sidetrack a bit but since Michael will be on this thread...

Does "Up With Trees" have any Crepe Myrtles and where would we get them?   Would like a bunch of them for along the back fenceline. 

Thank ya much.

[RecycleMichael]

Yes. Getting a big new shipment of trees including Crepe Myrtles on Wednesday.

[Red Arrow]

How would you propose to measure the amount of trash instead?

Technology can provide the answer.

Require that the trash bins can be mechanically emptied, rather than manually dumped by the workers (if that is not already the case).  The system that dumps them can read the RFID tags, weigh the trash (before and after weight of the bin) and optically determine the trash volume.  A computer on the trash truck would instantly determine the customer's bill, including a fee for the distance from the dump site,  and send it to "Trash Central" for further processing.

The cost to implement this system would most likely raise the rates for everyone and be more expensive than the highest presently proposed rates but it would insure that no one paid more than their fair share.

/smarta$$ comment

[Hoss]

Technology can provide the answer.

Require that the trash bins can be mechanically emptied, rather than manually dumped by the workers (if that is not already the case).  The system that dumps them can read the RFID tags, weigh the trash (before and after weight of the bin) and optically determine the trash volume.  A computer on the trash truck would instantly determine the customer's bill, including a fee for the distance from the dump site,  and send it to "Trash Central" for further processing.

The cost to implement this system would most likely raise the rates for everyone and be more expensive than the highest presently proposed rates but it would insure that no one paid more than their fair share.

/smarta$$ comment

From you?  I'm shocked, I tell you!  Shocked!

[Red Arrow]

From you?  I'm shocked, I tell you!  Shocked!

Let go of the electric cord.   

[RecycleMichael]

Weighing trash?

Landfills don't close because they are too heavy.

Charging by container size is much smarter.

[Red Arrow]

Weighing trash?

Landfills don't close because they are too heavy.

Charging by container size is much smarter.

A really heavy trash can will probably contain things that don't compact at the landfill as easily as a trash can filled with empty cardboard boxes that haven't been flattened. Otherwise I agree.

[AquaMan]

Technology can provide the answer.

Require that the trash bins can be mechanically emptied, rather than manually dumped by the workers (if that is not already the case).  The system that dumps them can read the RFID tags, weigh the trash (before and after weight of the bin) and optically determine the trash volume.  A computer on the trash truck would instantly determine the customer's bill, including a fee for the distance from the dump site,  and send it to "Trash Central" for further processing.

The cost to implement this system would most likely raise the rates for everyone and be more expensive than the highest presently proposed rates but it would insure that no one paid more than their fair share.

/smarta$$ comment

I thought you were kidding. But I guess you were serious.

Not every problem has a viable solution with technology. Yes, I agree that the system you propose would work....for about 6 months. The extreme conditions that garbage trucks work in would seriously affect their performance. Rough roads, extreme temperatures, and dirty environments. Any one who has seen the trucks up close knows they take a beating and require lots of maintenance.

The customers themselves would be likely to load heavier or larger trash into their neighbors' cans if they are to be charged more for it. The cans themselves are likely to have their RFID's either lost or damaged due to rough handling and vandalism. What then? No service? Free service?

It is infinitely easier to simply choose from different sizes and be charged accordingly. Sometimes, simplicity trumps technology.

[shadows]

How would you propose to measure the amount of trash instead?

As you are aware Tulsa is rapily becoming an aging city with its many senior citizens.  The amount of actual trash, generated by this group (trash that cannot be recycled) is probably less than 45 gallons each month. This fast growing group is unable to maneuver those clumsy carts and baby-sit with them waiting for them to be emptied once a week of a handful of trash.

Recycling could be and should be made mandatory whereas the revenue from the recycling could be used to offset the cost of collecting of such.

The next generations will have to cope with land fills that contaminate the waters and soils of man made products that have an indefinite life span.   This possible could also include the materials used to make the carts.

China, as well as the old world, is increasing their wealth on using our recyclable discards

[Red Arrow]

I thought you were kidding. But I guess you were serious.

Nope, just kidding.   The heavy stuff could potentially fill up the landfill sooner than a bunch of light weight stuff but container size is really the best way to go.

[Red Arrow]

... whereas the revenue from the recycling could be used to offset the cost of collecting of such.

RM,

Is there overall money in recycling or do we do it because it's the right thing to do?  I'm sure some categories can make money but I believe I remember you saying some others are losers, money wise.

[RecycleMichael]

I am the largest residential glass bottle collector in the state and I lost money last year on glass. I made money on paper and cans and milk jugs , but broke even on water bottles. Hauling and handling costs eat most of the money.

Recycling revenue already subsidizes collection. I pay $!.44 every time the trash truck comes by my house and $.92 every time the recycle truck comes by my house.

After the new system is on place, the city will pay to dump a truck of trash and get paid to dump of collected recycled stuff. The exact same size truck will cost the city (and we ratepayers) $100 for trash and when full of recycling, will make the city $200.

[Conan71]

I am the largest residential glass bottle collector in the state and I lost money last year on glass. I made money on paper and cans and milk jugs , but broke even on water bottles.

You need a better bookie.