Do you have to pay for bulk trash pick-up? We don't in Hawaii.
I was amazed at all the different things people throw out.
Some actually look like they threw out EVERYTHING from their houses.
In Osaka, we have to PAY for everything we throw out that isn't considered "burnable" (there is a list, with pictures, to go off of).
If the item is bigger than the city issued "non-burnable" trash bag, then it needs to have a 300 yen (about US$3) seal for items up to 1 meter long (a little over 3 feet).
And if the item is longer than 1 meter (over 3 feet), then you need to purchase another seal for another 300 yen (about US$3)..so it needs a total of 2 seals.
Big items like washers/dryers...lawn mowers would need to be arranged with the city to have them picked them up and hauled away, of course, for a nice sum.
We've never had to do this YET, though our appliances are coming up on their 10th year and I'm crossing my fingers they will hang on for as many more year as possible.
I know each country has their quirks but I do think that if Hawaii started to charge for the pick-up of big items they probably wouldn't have to be shipping their other trash off to other states and paying those states to take it.
Even other U.S. states have super-different policies (as I learned the hard way) - Hawaii's indeed unique :)
ReplyDeleteIt depends on the city around here. One city you can unofficially put out anything and the pickers (junk dealers) will come by and pick it up. Another city you have to arrange for a pick up and I think it's pretty expensive, like 25.00 for something like a washing machine. You can get a hefty fine otherwise. Where we live now we have large bins distributed by the city, it seems if it can fit in the bin, the garbage men will take it, so I've put things like broken lawn chairs. I think we can put things like furniture out, but think we pay higher taxes for that privilege.
ReplyDeleteOur city council does one bulk waste collection each year. The cost of it is included in our rates. They also do one or two green waste collections. You pay whether you put rubbish out or not. You really have to keep an eye on the calendar. We usually miss it.
ReplyDeleteIn Australia, well, Melbourne and surrounding area at least, it's free. On a certain day of the week you out out your bulky stuff for 'hard rubbish collection'. I can't believe you have to pay in Osaka, seems so strange to me. I remember thinking the garbage bins in Japan were strange, combustible and non-combustible or something like that.
ReplyDeleteOne thing about Hawai'i is that you put things out but they sometimes disappear before the actual trash pick-up. People driving by just take the better stuff.
ReplyDeleteAnd if they charged a fee maybe the large pieces of junk wouldn't be all over the sides of the road here too!
ReplyDelete;-)
Too bad you had to learn the hard way Jude :(
ReplyDeleteInteresting Donna, thanks for sharing that!
That is interesting too Momiji!
Yes we have combustible and non-combustible Sarah, it gets hard to determine which is what sometimes.
I noticed that too Nate :)
I don't think anything would help those people who dump everywhere and anywhere Debinhawaii, though I did see something in Japan where they marked the roadside as part of a shrine and it deterred people from dumping!
Take care everyone.
kat
Haha, how cute, you are so candid!
ReplyDeleteWe also, in Italy, must pay for big things to throw away.
I mean, for the pick up of this material.
While if you wanna throw them away for free, you can, but you shall bring them yourself to the garbage dump.
Leaving big (and small) objects down the street is strictly forbidden.
So in Hawaii you guys are very lucky! Hope things will go on like this forever over there.
Ha! Nate took the words right out of my mouth.
ReplyDeleteThat is so interesting S!
ReplyDeleteRowena :)
Take care!
Kat
here in Melbourne, Australia we have two days a year in which we can throw out bulky trash for free! other than that people can either drive to petrol stations with those large rubbish bins to throw bulky trash away.
ReplyDeletepretty lucky in Hawaii to have a service free all year round!
thanks Grub, I'm amazed you can bring them to the gas stations :)
ReplyDeleteTake care.
Kat