When trash pickup and removal services first started in Evansville, Indiana almost anything you wanted to dispose of could be thrown away. In some cases, this trash pickup service was abused and therefore they started creating rules of what can be picked up with your regular trash service.
Fast forward to today where we have separate containers for recyclables, trash, and sometimes yard waste. We have special recycle days where citizens can deliver some waste products downtown for disposal. Heavier objects such as furniture, appliances, and some construction debris can be picked up by the heavy waste service. Today, Heavy Waste pickup is done by making a phone call to the Republic Services national line at (800) 886-3345. They will assign you a specific day for the pickup. The pickups are limited to 1 item per pickup. And no more than 26 scheduled pickups a year can be scheduled.
Current complaints are that the pickup days that are scheduled are missed more than they make them. Requiring a reschedule. Prior to March of 2021, Evansville followed a scheduled bi-annual pickup route. Prior to 2021, the Heavy Waste pickup plan was simple enough. Put whatever you did not want out where they normally pickup trash and with many of the same limitations that are used today on the type of junk, the heavy waste would be picked up.
Many considered it a bonus to have a system that did not require a phone call. Especially since the new system is not well advertised.
In 2022, the Ross Center Neighborhood Association on the southeast side held a weekend long open dumpster event. On a Friday afternoon, a 40 cubic yard roll off dumpster was delivered to a strategic location in the middle of the neighborhood. The neighborhood association advertised the event through its normal channels. The event was both a success and a failure. It was a success in that a lot of neighbors was able to use such a needed service. It was a success in that the neighbors themselves self-initiated and self delivered. In the end, TWO 40 cubic yard dumpster were needed and both were filled to the brim. This event demonstrates the need of different heavy waste pickup system.
More to come….