unintended consequences of living green

[Ex Lurker]

I'm single, live alone, and have been really trying to reduce the amount of solid waste coming from my household. As a result, I don't have much trash to take out. I have a big can in my kitchen where everything I can't recycle goes. When it's full, it goes in the big can outside. This only happens every couple of weeks, sometimes longer.

One day, I go outside and my big can is missing. At first I thought it was stolen, but after getting much runaround from the city and the contractor, it turns out the contractor picked it up because they "thought nobody lived there." Now they say they don't have any spares available (where did the one they picked up from MY house go??) The man "suggested" I go buy one myself. That ain't gonna hapen. At this point we're at an impasse.

I'm still committed to living green, but a word of warning: unless you're fortunate to live in an area where others share that commitment, be prepared to not only have no help from the powers that be, but have them actively working against you.

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

1. "have them actively working against you"

This is simply not true for the scenario you cited.

It was an honest misunderstanding... The can was used so little it appeared that no one lived there.
In the spirit of efficiency and recycling, the can was collected and redistributed to others.
That there are no cans to return to you is unfortunate but not some sort of intentional roadblock against you.

[Fumesucker]

2. It may not be true in a strict sense but the effect on the poster was the same as if it was..

The poster no longer has their can and has been told to go and buy one after their's was confiscated in error.

[oregonjen]

3. If you are paying for their services,

Should you need to go buy one, have them credit your account for that expense.

[damntexdem]

4. I'm glad my city picks up both trash and recycling, supplying bins for both.

And years ago, at our request, we got the largest recycling bin available and a smaller trash bin.

Then, when the trash goes to the dump, at least they have methane recovery.

[Tesha]

5. Escalate. The city owes you trash collection and if they prescribe a certain container...

...they should (re-)provide you with the required container.

Call your mayor's office; they'll have someone who handles
"constituent services".

Tesha

[jdlh8894]

6. The city owes what?

I pay for collection.Not the city.

[Tesha]

7. It varies from place to place. In our city, our property taxes pay for trash collection.

That sounds like the situation with the OP as well.

Tesha