We are just now getting automated trash pickup here. The huge cart that must be placed just so for them to pick it up. Is it just me, or is this a scam so the contracted trash company can make a ton of cash while the local economy takes the hit? Or is it completely worthless and no one is making money, it's just flashy? Here are my thoughts on it:
1) It's automated, so less people should be required to do the job. Maybe a driver and another guy, in case a cart tips over or something. Obviously this will trim the number of jobs, since the norm now is a driver with a 2 man pickup crew.
2) It's automated, so the service will suck. The giant can comes with a hefty pamphlet on how it should be placed just so, handle facing this way, no lawn clippings, 3 feet minimum from any other object. Hate to tell them, but 3 feet ain't gonna happen in this neighborhood (my driveway to the neighbor's driveway is maybe 6 feet). They say that when the can was delivered, it was placed in the optimal position for pickup. Yeah, well they delivered it when my gf wasn't here, and they put it in her parking spot, directly behind my car. Gee thanks guys.
3) They're getting picky about rules. No lawn clippings in the can. They must be in plastic bags which will be picked up later in the week by a different truck. I get the idea that they're going to be there a while. Not to mention that this has to go next to the street, but remain 3 feet from the can.
4) Where's the benefit? So we're cutting jobs and going to expensive automated equipment. Each can comes with a $60 replacement cost, and they distribute 1 to every household. Is my bill going to go down? I sincerely doubt it. Oh, but these new trucks run at lower RPM... so noise during collection times will be lower. Uh... sure thing guys. I'm betting that's a load of BS.
So how many of you have it? Are my concerns valid? What do you think of your automated service?
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When you say automated, does that mean a machine of some sort at the back of the truck picks up the garbage?
It may result in the loss of jobs...but won't there be a requirement for a maintainence crew to service the machine once in a while?
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I have seen the trucks in action and they are very efficient. There is only ONE operator on the truck who does everything. We've had them here for a few years now. I have yet to see spills or whatever on the road.
If I were you I would call the company and ask when they schedule the yard waste pick up and put the bag out then.
Bottom line: Take off the Engineer hat, stop all the analysis and let the trash guy take care of the problem.
If you want more info, the Discovery or History Channel had a show about garbage trucks. There is an amazing amount of engineering that goes into the design of a garbage truck. One of the systems they highlighted was the one person truck like we are discussing.
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We're talking GARBAGE PICKUP here; NOT economic policy, Constitutional Law, or structural design of a bridge.
Someone, probably an industrial engineer along with an ergonomics specialist, have already designed the automated truck with the lowest common denominator in mind. Anecdotal evidence seems confirm its efficiency. Economically it makes a lot of sense for the trash haulers, since now they only need one person and not three. The situation has already been thought out - anything more on your part would be to: "gild refined gold, to paint the lily, To throw a perfume on the violet, To smooth the ice..."
As for the "closeness issue". I am assuming your driveways are next to each other. You put your trash receptacle on one side of your driveway. Your neighbor puts theirs on the side of the driveway furthest from yours. That should give you over 10' between receptacles.
(Remember Occam's Razor)
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Someone, probably an industrial engineer along with an ergonomics specialist, have already designed the automated truck with the lowest common denominator in mind. Anecdotal evidence seems confirm its efficiency. Economically it makes a lot of sense for the trash haulers, since now they only need one person and not three. The situation has already been thought out - anything more on your part would be to: "gild refined gold, to paint the lily, To throw a perfume on the violet, To smooth the ice..."
As for the "closeness issue". I am assuming your driveways are next to each other. You put your trash receptacle on one side of your driveway. Your neighbor puts theirs on the side of the driveway furthest from yours. That should give you over 10' between receptacles.
(Remember Occam's Razor)
Wait a minute... you're saying I shouldn't care about garbage pickup, but I should be concerned with the structural integrity of the bridge? How can I possibly made educated decisions on the structure of the bridge? That is something that is out of my control and shouldn't be on the thinking list.
Because something is economically feasible to a company, that means it's good? Hate to tell you, but corporations are not out for the common good of society. They're there to make money, period. If they're hurting the local job market while providing no benefit to the consumer, why shouldn't the consumer be distressed by this? You say the situation has already been thought out. It has... by the people who aim to profit. It's a strongly biased opinion - an any time you have a strongly biased opinion I think it's a good idea to think it over and get a big picture idea if it's going to work for everyone.
On the other side of my driveway... is another driveway.
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MED: Do what you want about your garbage, the collection method and whatever else you need to do about solid waste issues.
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