The Polite House: What Can I Do About My Neighbors’ Trash Cans?
If you’re tired of staring at unsightly garbage way before pickup day, it’s time to have some tough conversations
Lizzie Post
January 2, 2017
Houzz Contributor. Lizzie Post is co-host of the Awesome Etiquette podcast http://www.infiniteguest.org/awesome-etiquette/, and an author and spokesperson for the Emily Post Institute. She is a co-author of Emily Post’s Etiquette 18th edition, Emily Post’s Great Get-Togethers, The Etiquette Advantage in Business, and Emily Post’s Wedding Etiquette 6th edition http://emilypost.com/books/.
Houzz Contributor. Lizzie Post is co-host of the Awesome Etiquette podcast ,... More
Dear Lizzie,
My next-door neighbors consistently put their trash at the curb the day before pickup. So the garbage sits there for me to look at for at least 24 hours before it’s picked up. I have two living room windows that face the curb, so I have a great view of their trash every week. They used to put their trash out two to three days before pickup, but I spoke to them about it once when we were all standing outside and it was convenient.
I mentioned first how nice her flowers were and how I enjoyed seeing them from my living room windows. Then I said I would appreciate it if they could wait until at least the day before pickup to put the trash out. Well, I have found out since then that you are not supposed to put your garbage out any earlier than 7 p.m. the night before pickup. My question is: Should I mention this to my neighbors (I’d sure like to), or do I just have to be happy that they’re at least not putting it out two to three days in advance?
My next-door neighbors consistently put their trash at the curb the day before pickup. So the garbage sits there for me to look at for at least 24 hours before it’s picked up. I have two living room windows that face the curb, so I have a great view of their trash every week. They used to put their trash out two to three days before pickup, but I spoke to them about it once when we were all standing outside and it was convenient.
I mentioned first how nice her flowers were and how I enjoyed seeing them from my living room windows. Then I said I would appreciate it if they could wait until at least the day before pickup to put the trash out. Well, I have found out since then that you are not supposed to put your garbage out any earlier than 7 p.m. the night before pickup. My question is: Should I mention this to my neighbors (I’d sure like to), or do I just have to be happy that they’re at least not putting it out two to three days in advance?
What an unfortunate situation. Since you have already spoken with your neighbors about their trash and they complied with your request, I think it leaves you with less standing to ask them to abide by the 7 p.m. rule. However, this doesn’t mean that you have to resign yourself to seeing their trash cans for 24 hours every week for the rest of your life. You still have an avenue to pursue.
The source of the 7 p.m. rule. is unclear from your question. Was it your homeowners association? The property management company? Wherever the rule came from, that is the next place to speak to about it. First, ask what the trash can policy is, then ask if the organization has a protocol for enforcing it. If it does not, bring a solution or two with you so you have something to suggest. An email notice, door flier or direct call from the organization are possible solutions.
The source of the 7 p.m. rule. is unclear from your question. Was it your homeowners association? The property management company? Wherever the rule came from, that is the next place to speak to about it. First, ask what the trash can policy is, then ask if the organization has a protocol for enforcing it. If it does not, bring a solution or two with you so you have something to suggest. An email notice, door flier or direct call from the organization are possible solutions.
Some places set rules but are not good about enforcing them. If the organization isn’t willing to intervene, is there another neighbor who pays close attention to these types of rules? If so, this person might be an ally who could, like you did, mention the 7 p.m. rule to the offending neighbor.
I caution you though: This avenue could quickly turn into negative gossip. Be sure not to speak ill of your neighbors with the trash cans if you do talk to another neighbor about the issue. Simply speak to the problem. It could help to get the word across if whoever established the rule isn’t willing to enforce it.
What’s your question? To submit a question on etiquette around the house for Lizzie Post, send an email with the subject line “The Polite House” to edit@houzz.com.
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I caution you though: This avenue could quickly turn into negative gossip. Be sure not to speak ill of your neighbors with the trash cans if you do talk to another neighbor about the issue. Simply speak to the problem. It could help to get the word across if whoever established the rule isn’t willing to enforce it.
What’s your question? To submit a question on etiquette around the house for Lizzie Post, send an email with the subject line “The Polite House” to edit@houzz.com.
See more from The Polite House
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Right, patatas. I'm not too sure how the garbage haulers would take to it but, putting bungee cords from one handle to another will stop a lot of critters. If the lid has a handle, too, go underneath it. Maybe clamp one end of the cord to the trash can (assuming they're metal) so they won't fall off or be hauled to the dump accidentally. That sort of configuration kept the raccoons and 'possums out of my trash when I lived in a rural setting. Now I have cans provided by the municipality.
When I lived in Wyoming during hunting season all sort of stuff was put in the trash and the critters spread in down the street. I read that ammonia would keep the critters away. I went out and sprinkled ammonia on mine and my neighbors trash cans. ( this was in an alley so no one saw me ) I did this weekly then monthly and solved the problem. This was in the day when the trash cans were metal without locking lids.
I got a notice a few years ago from our "sanitation engineers" who asked us not to use ammonia, bleach, hot pepper oil, moth balls or any strong chemicals on the trash bags or trash cans. It was stated that the chemicals get on their gloves, clothes, etc. and cause problems for them as well as for the inside of the truck. They are also dangerous to animals. For example: dogs will eat moth balls which emit gas vapors to kill moths. Dogs can die from digesting them. Same with Ammonia which is a highly toxic substance if an animal breathes it into their lungs or digests (licks) it.
Anyway, the company suggested several ways to keep the trash from animals as well as children. Bungee cords which was already mentioned. Drive long stakes through the handles of the cans (if they have them. But the cans in a tamper proof box that is large enough to make it difficult for a dog, cat, child, wild animal to physically lift the trash can up and out of the box.
I have a neighbor who uses a "bear box" that he also takes on his Mountain Man excursions. Most of us use homemade trash box/bin made of heavy duty wood or scrap metal. Others use bungee cords or put out the trash an hour or two before pickup. We even have one neighbor who is an artist. They made a wood box with a lid closed by a hasp. They painted the box with flowers and trees. I should take a photo of it (with their permission of course) and post it here.