Reduced trash pickup plan??

**Preston** · 08-09-2009, 09:26 AM

Anybody know if companies usually offer a reduced trash pickup plan?

My wife and I bought our how two months ago and it took us a month before we actually set up trash pickup and since we signed up for service we now have literally had only two of four weeks we actually had something to put on the curb -- and the can wasn't even close to full.

We compost and they also offer recycling, but beyond that our actual 'trash' is very little.

I costs about $20/month for trash pickup.. so $5 a week and honestly I could drive it to the dump myself for a lot less.

**Debbie-cat** · 08-09-2009, 09:59 AM

It wouldn't hurt to call them Preston and ask. I know here, they will pick up how much or how little you want at increased/reduced rates. If you have them pick up only once a month, they might only charge you the $5. Weigh you options...it might just be cheaper for you to take it once a month yourself to the dump.

BTW, I think you and your wife are doing great for being newbies!

**beks37** · 08-09-2009, 11:58 AM

I called my trash company a few months ago, because my bill was up to $75 and seemed to go up every month. They did not offer smaller trash cans or less frequent service, but they did offer to reduce my rate by $5 a month. So I took that offer, since then, the bill seems to be creeping back up. I will call again to see what they can do, if nothing else, I will change trash companies. I wish they offered a reduced rate for either a smaller trash can or less frequent service.

**tofuranch** · 08-09-2009, 01:02 PM

well we don't have trash service because we would have to take our trash to the end of the road and anyone could use our dumpster.

So we bring it in on our own, yes I do think that we save a lot of money doing it this way. We are even more aware of how much trash we have. One big down side is that trash does get smelly over time, no matter what is in it.

**frugalfranny** · 08-09-2009, 01:20 PM

Do you know your neighbors well enough to 'share'?

I too, don't have much trash. One bag a week or under. So this fall, when I get through with the summer stuff, I am going to combine with a friend. It is a win-win. She gets her garbage bill reduced (we both do) but if I didn't combine I would just take it to the dump once a month or every two months. Even figuring gas, that would be cheaper than the garbage bill.......or even combining for that matter.

We have free re-cycling if you take it to the dump. If the garbage co. picks it up it is just over $3 a week. You have no choice. If you have garbage service you pay for this.....rather you recycle or not. I recycle and also have a compost pile, which reduces me to a max. of one bag a week.

**ladytoysdream** · 08-09-2009, 03:57 PM

W recycle - newspapers, cardboard, glass, plastic.
We compost.
We have chickens who get some food items.
Some items like metal, etc, I can give to one of my sons so they can make some money when they sell to a metal recyler.
Not very much trash and it can go to the county dump.
We have to buy a permit once a year. And then one pays by weight on the load you have. Pull in, get weighted, empty vehicle, pull out, get reweighed, pay.

**MisaLady** · 08-09-2009, 08:12 PM

My mother cancelled her trash service to save money and the results are AWFUL. The trash smells, you have to find a place for it, etc.

**Telephus44** · 08-10-2009, 10:46 AM

We just changed our trash pickup from every week to every other. When we bought our house I wanted to start with every week because I didn't have a good handle on how much trash we have, and moving always generates more trash. It didn't save much (bill went from abour $105 to $90, this is quarterly), but every little bit counts. They do offer a once a month option, I am hoping that we can reduce our trash down to that. They offer recycling and now with every other week pickup we generally have equal amounts of trash and recycling.

**peanut** · 08-10-2009, 07:08 PM

Our garbage costs are included with the water and sewer bill...and we don't get to see the separate tally. We're in the city and have dumpsters in the lane. You pay whether you use it or not. It's frustrating for us because we throw out like 2 grocery bags of garbage a week. We recycle and compost too.

**frugalwarrior** · 08-10-2009, 08:12 PM

We pay $69. every 3 months. I think it's a great deal. We live in an area where it would be difficult to compost pet leftovers and am very grateful for pickup every week. We have to pay xtra for large items but I think thats fair too.

**dmarie** · 08-11-2009, 04:06 PM

Seen about Sharing a can, That's a great idea really my neighbor was only using her can half the time and i was also so we went in on a large can together and we get free recycling cans another neighbor takes our compost stuff and shares the compost with us, We save about 25 a month doing this. And since we have a wood stove everyone gives us there scrap wood from projects for kindling. So it works out for everyone.

**bumplett** · 08-11-2009, 05:51 PM

I canceled garbage service last year - haven't missed it a bit! We stay at a range of one bag per week, which someone takes to work or family's house to dispose of.... everything else gets recycled.

Works well for us - and IF I ever decide to pay for garbage services again, it will be with a small local company, NOT a corp.