Trash talkin’ with Mayor Preble

Butterscotch/toffee flavored coffee. Ok, I really like butterscotch and enjoy toffee, but how would that taste in coffee. That was one of the flavors of the day last week at the coffee shop. Had to give it a try. Didn’t even need cream, it was that good!

Forgive me, but I want to talk about trash. Want to get this straight, this is not to be confused with talking trash! Everyone one of us generates a certain amount of trash a week, some more than others, which is normal. The street department has their regularly scheduled routes for collecting the trash and, for the most part, at a scheduled time. To that end, trash is placed at the edge of the property for pickup. Some use the “tipper” can provided by the city, some use a variation of the tipper can while some place garbage bags only at their designated spot. Regardless of how the trash is placed it is almost always picked up by city employees. It should be noted the only two days when the trash routes are not run are the Fourth of July and Christmas. This eliminates the need for doubling routes and minimizes the impact to the customer. I’m sure many don’t appreciate that trash routes are run regardless of the weather, pretty much the same motto as the post office!

In driving around in the mornings, it’s hard not to notice trash set out for pickup. What is equally hard not to notice is the volume of trash and the types of trash put out. One thing that stands out is the number of cardboard boxes set out awaiting pickup. Along with that I’m sure there are other items not so visible that can be recycled, mainly plastics. There is a convenient location in town where recyclables can be dropped off, and that is on 12th SE next to the Gas & Water building. This location is open on Wed, Fri and Sat from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.. There are two separate well-marked bins. The one on the left for corrugated cardboard and paper and the one on the right for plastics and cans. There is also a black container for receiving metals that can be recycled. Unfortunately, the county cannot take glass for recycling. The county is responsible for managing all recyclables.

There are many other people utilizing the bins when I drop off my recyclables, which is usually every other week or once a month. Other items like electronics can be dropped off at the Switz City location, between Switz City and Lighthouse junction, but there is a fee based on the type and configuration of the item. There is even an attendant at both locations to assist in emptying your vehicle. Bags of trash can be dropped off as well but there is a fee associated with each bag.

Back to the trash. A few years ago I received the city’s policy on trash pickup. Not sure if it was a separate mailing or came with the utility bill. Regardless, requirements placed on the trash to be picked up were fairly straightforward. I remember four bags maximum per household with bags being 33 gal or less with the recommended weight of around 15 lbs per bag or 50 lbs per can. City Ordinance Chapter 52 deals with sanitation policy.

The intent of this coffee with the mayor is to ask you to think about what you throw away. The garbage trucks have a limited capacity and on some days the load comes close to the limit. The garbage trucks make a daily run to the landfill near Riley when their route is finished, and the city is charged by the number of tons to be offloaded. The fewer tons, the less cost! Bottom line, think about what you throw away and utilize the recycle bins when you can.

In addition, behind the recycle bins at the 12th street location is a place where items for composting can be dropped off. This includes tree limbs, grass and landscape trimmings or other items of that nature. There’s always someone utilizing this area and I’m sure many people aren’t aware it’s available. The hours of operation are the same, Wed, Fri and Sat from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m..

John Preble is currently serving his first term as the Mayor of Linton, Indiana. This blog will serve as one way for the Mayor’s office to communicate news and items of interest to readers.