HELP - Dump closing for 3 weeks

**DonnainME** · 06-29-2008, 01:41 PM

OK. Our town is having a financial crisis and we just found out that our town dump is closing for 3 weeks (not enough money to pay the workers). Anyway, today was the last day they will be open - they close at 3. We took our 2 bags we had today - including the plastics for recycling. Anyway, I'm stressed because I don't want trash in the house and we don't have any place to put it outside that is where it wouldn't get wet.

We burn all paper and cardboard. We do have a worm bin and a compost can (just did the compost can).

I'm trying to think of another way to reduce trash.

I don't want to NOT keep the recycling stuff separate. I'm thinking of putting a few boxes in the cellar and the plastic recycling and cans (veggie/fruit) can go there.

Do you all have any other ideas for me? It seems like we're having just over 1 bag of trash for a week. I'm also going to make sure we don't throw away any food type things because that would cause the trash to stink.

Help please.

**dolphin** · 06-29-2008, 01:53 PM

Gosh, I can't think of anything else. Sounds like you're already doing all you can. How aweful that the shut down like that!

**DonnainME** · 06-29-2008, 01:57 PM

I'm just worried about the town. We (in the last year) have - as a town - changed the fiscal year and that's causing alot of this. They have been "out of budget" since 5/1 and been going on a "slush fund" since then. There was a town meeting (that we couldn't go to) Saturday. People voted against borrowing money from the state and this is what's having to happen. We will be having another town meeting and will definitely make that meeting.

I just want to have as little garbage as we can. I'm even thinking about burning the plastics from the garbage. I don't know if that's a good idea or not.

**MommyBliss** · 06-29-2008, 02:06 PM

I'm sorry to hear you are going through this. This is awful! No tips here, it sounds like you are doing what you can.

**bumplett** · 06-29-2008, 02:11 PM

so, do you still have recycling service?

hmmm... could you take your trash to the next town over? Where is the next closest landfill?

**DonnainME** · 06-29-2008, 07:15 PM

The recycle thing is in the same place as the transfer station (dump). I'm not sure about if we can go to another transfer station. I might have to try if we do fill up a couple of bags. I'm just thrilled to know that we don't usually have more than 1 bag a week - well, unless we're cleaning. I've already decided that I can't take on any cleaning around the house - other than usual - until the dump is back open.

**zakity** · 06-29-2008, 08:52 PM

If you do have any food containers that can't be recycled, rinse them out. It will help with the smell.

**DonnainME** · 06-29-2008, 09:09 PM

we cleaned out the fridge today and fed it to the dogs. I'm just gonna be really careful with the trash.

**lisettelovebug** · 06-29-2008, 09:10 PM

I would suggest checking into other dumps around you. It seems like here in New York state we have one in just about every county. I know we have one near us, but we usually drive to the one about 30 minutes away because it is near my parents' house and we visit them after going there. Mostly we just get rid of A LOT of recyclables (our town has a crappy recycle program) and the bigger stuff when we spring clean and stuff. If you can find one somewhat near you maybe you can go there about half way in between the 3 weeks - week and a half from now. Maybe you can even combine this trip with your weekly grocery shopping - maybe take advantage of the drive somehow.

**freebs** · 06-29-2008, 09:10 PM

burn everything that can be burned. I would burn the plastic also just throw your food scraps into the burn barrel when you are burning! It will all burn well!

**DonnainME** · 06-30-2008, 08:38 AM

Thanks guys. So far so good. Only a small amount in the trash can and I am ok with that. We have some more stuff for the burn barrel and the compost bin. I'm just kinda in shock that they are being closed for so long.

**IntlMom** · 06-30-2008, 08:57 AM

Donna, sorry to hear about the dump closing and the problems your town is going thru?. My family is from up north, as in Aroostook County, so I know that small Maine towns do struggle! Hope yours makes it!

**yankeegal** · 06-30-2008, 09:21 AM

As a fellow Mainer, I am so sorry to hear that your town is struggling. I live in the most Southern part of the state and I think we have a tendency to forget about our neighbors to the North. Hang in there!!

**Momto2Boyz** · 06-30-2008, 11:00 AM

Please, please, please don't burn the plastics! Even in small amounts, the emissions aren't good for the air!

If you rinse out the recyclables, you shouldn't have any problems with holding them aside for two weeks. They won't smell and will only take up space. Just get some of the big black trash bags and find somewhere to store them (even outside would work).

It sounds like you are doing the right things, and three weeks really isn't that long in the scheme of things. It sounds like you have dogs, so feed them whatever scraps you can (without hurting their health), compost what you can, recycle what you can, and if your burning the paper and cardboard, you really shouldn't be left with too much!

Good luck, I hope it works out for you! DH works for waste management (he is a recycler) and they are talking about striking to get their health insurance back. (personally, the insurance we have now is fine, but many of the guys want their union ins. back). I'm more freaked out about not having garbage pickup, then not having a paycheck each week!

**Dancing Lotus** · 06-30-2008, 11:06 AM

Do not burn the plastic. it's toxic!

Do you not have any trash cans outside? We have two large trash cans for the garbage men to pick our trash up in.