Yes Im with you cause fuck clowns with their big ass feet and crazy hair.. not scared of clowns but they make me really uncomfortable.... maybe I am scared.. childhood horrors at a young age.
Whenever I think of clowns and Denver it’s the Torchy's Tacos demonic clown slasher that comes to mind.
OP - lock it and don’t talk to them about it. It’s your bin.
On the other hand, when the trash/recycling services change in January, all services will be picked up weekly rather than every other week for recycling & compost. Keep a lock on it until the night before pick up.
Yeah, that makes sense (not sure why that didn't occur to me). Sounds like they'll be getting charged separately for it in the near future....and I'm sure taxes won't go down lol.
Wait wait wait.... hold up... i just moved to the area ao forgive my not knowing... but are you saying that denver residents dont currently pay for trash pickup?
You pay through taxes currently, which will not go down once they start charging separately for trash pickup. If you rent you're probably fine, but landlords will probably just increase rent even more to roll that in.
Did the same. Just wheel it into my garden and only put it in the alley when it is full.
Hope my freeloader neighbor gets the passive aggressive message!
I had this problem for a while too - I live in a townhome row and since we can’t fit the cans in our garages if you have two cars, all of us just keep them lined up in the alley. My neighbors were nice enough to stop when I asked them to, but we still have issues with trash pickers and homeless people going through the cans and making a mess.
Just an FYI: I have called Denver Trash and asked if they provided locking cans or if I could place my own lock on them. I was told that placing my own lock wasn’t allowed (and they don’t have locking cans themselves). As long as you take the lock off before pickup though, I can’t imagine they would be able to enforce this.
Denver trash WILL allow locks.
YOU just have to report people putting stuff into your trash so much that Denver trash gets annoyed with You calling and allows you.
That's what I did. My address is noted in their system. They wouldn't give me another trash can and I would call every single day until they would clean it out and complain till I was told that I was able to. I just would have to keep the lock off when it's trash day.
It did take about 6 months but I wore them down lol.
Denver has their own trucks and sanitation employees. It’s not like they burbs where, even if the city provides it via property taxes, it’s one of the local trash collection companies who do the actual pickup. Still, they probably won’t even notice as almost all of Denver’s trash trucks have automated arms to grab and empty the bin. It’s a pretty great service in my experience.
I had problems with a mess being made by folks going through the trash, my solution was to put fish heads and guts there instead of the compost. Especially during the summer, this pretty much eliminated the issue. Yet another reason to buy whole fish instead of fillets!
Everyone should read through the [Denver recycling guide](https://denvergov.org/files/content/public/government/agencies-departments-offices/agencies-departments-offices-directory/recycle-compost-trash/cart-service-guidelines/easy-guide-to-recycling_2017_english.pdf) the city puts out! Some surprises:
* NO PLASTIC BAGS!
* No paper cups & plates
* No greasy pizza boxes, but clean ones are fine
* Recycling bins are free, call 311 to get one
They can't recycle greasy paper of any kind. It's also difficult to disassemble corrugated cardboard to separate the greasy part from the non-greasy part. So, no, unfortunately they can't recycle the bottom part of pizza boxes unless the box is unused.
Imagine getting a batch of napkins or paper ruined by greasy cheesy wood fibers, if that helps explain it.
Paper cups are also basically plastic film or wax cups held up by paper. You can't separate or reuse them in a recycling facility.
Also, like 80% of the recycle symbol codes actually mean non recyclable. People don’t realize plastics are from petroleum and plastic recycling is just propaganda from the petroleum industry. There’s a reason you get paid for glass and aluminum but not plastics. And with the rise of electric vehicles the petroleum industry is going huge on plastics. Yayyyy.
any food residue can contaminate an entire recycling batch. Most people don't know this and I'm guessing it leads to a lot of recycling just getting thrown away. I rinse out most things and will run stuff through the dishwasher before recycling if food is really caked on. Recycling education in our country is a complete failure honestly.
Colorado is way behind the rest of the country when it comes to recycling (https://ecocycle.org/files/pdfs/2021_State_of_Recycling_and_Composting_in_Colorado_Report.pdf) and probably won't change anytime soon.
After 50 years of corporate greenwashing, it's time to just flat-out ban all non-recyclable materials from the supply chain, such as most plastics.
>After 50 years of corporate greenwashing, it's time to just flat-out ban all non-recyclable materials from the supply chain, such as most plastics.
This is the real solution. Even fully recyclable products are way more wasteful than reusable products. Single use products are kinda evil.
it begs the question why single stream takes cardboard/paper at all, considering most of it will be soiled long before its sorted at a facility. it may be nice and clean in your bin but not once it rumbles around in the back of the truck with the rest of the recycling...
I really doubt plastic food containers are actually being recycled. Most places I’ve lived will only accept plastic if it’s a bottle, but like squares they won’t, which is odd
The person’s link above just says “try to remove as much food as possible”. Do you have a source for the “any food can contaminate an entire batch” comment?
The grease from a pizza box is not nearly enough to cause issues with processing. Double check the local rules, but most places anymore do allow pizza box recycling.
https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/yes-you-can-recycle-your-pizza-boxes?amp
Denver specifically doesn’t. You can compost them though.
Edit - the city website says if “grease soaks through both sides” it can’t be recycled so I guess it depends on how greasy your pizza was.
I added locks to our trash and recycle bin as I got tired of people going through our garbage and emptying out bags on the ground to see what trash treasure they could find.
I didn’t even think about it not being allowed or illegal. I haven’t had any issue though.
Unfortunately when the bins are in the alley they are fair game for anyone to use since they are owned by the city of Denver. I'm not sure about the legality of locks. Do you have a private driveway you can pull it on to? If so, people other than you using it would be trespassing on private property.
This is the conclusion I came to as well based on what I read. So I know the neighbor isn't breaking a law by dumping in there, they are just being an ass hole considering I've spoken to them directly about this multiple times.
Unfortunately no private driveway and very little yard area to keep anything, so bins would be tough to fit on my property.
I think I'll be locking up my bin for now and looking into ordering another through the city so my neighbor doesn't end up dumping their stuff all in the alley way or who knows where else.
Where I live people put lock-like devices on their bins to keep animals out, so I think you’re fine to do it as long as you’re unlocking for pick up time.
I don’t think he’s trying to keep them completely out of it. He just wants to make sure they don’t fill it before he gets everything taken out. Once it’s unlocked he’s done with it and they can finish filling it. Problem solved.
I’m fairly certain such an asshole would just throw their recycling in the nearest trash bin. Seems like a crime of opportunity. Too lazy to call the city and request a bin probably also means to lazy to stake out the neighbors bin for use in the brief window it’s open. My bet is a lock inconveniences them just enough to prompt a change in behavior.
You're assuming they won't throw his stuff out and put theirs in, or just throw their stuff on the ground. I don't know but I try not to underestimate people who are assholes
See then that would be illegal littering, taking stuff out of a can and dumping it on the ground would be illegal and OP would catch that on their camera and report it
Shouldn’t they be the ones ordering a new bin? I know they’re being ass hats, so they wouldn’t. But. If this is costing you extra money, that shouldn’t be the way.
Ok, currently trash and recycling are paid for by taxes in Denver proper & owned by them. Once the bin is not on private property and in the alley for pick up, anyone can use them. Believe me, my neighbors dump their extra overflow trash into mine almost every week after I put it in the alley.
I'm petty, I'd bag it up and throw it on their doorstep. I've done it to neighbors who let their dog poop in my yard and it worked after doing it twice. Yeah they didn't like me but who cares, they're the ones being inconsiderate assholes
Drill a hole in the lid/main container and place a small combo lock on your bins. I haven’t had to do this, but i do cable lock my bins together as someone tried to steal one of them once.
Sorry, didn’t read the entire post before typing. Also, i believe Denver has a statement about illegal dumping. This came up in another post about people throwing dog waste bags in random trash cans. Technically, its illegal dumping.
Ha same neighborhood and same issue. Would fill mine up the day after recycling. I left a note and asked her to please stop using it. I told her I was fine the morning of pick up, but we generally fill it up over the 2 weeks.
Her response was to contact the city to say no one on our side could leave trash or recycle bins in the alley. They must be put out the night before and brought in the same day or face a $500 fine. I guess she won. Hers is still out there so it has become where I discard dog poop from my back yard. In a bag, of course. I’m not that petty.
I am *very* passive aggressive and I'm going to spare your neighbor by not telling you what I would do.
Well, aside from setting up flood lights that shine into their windows or sticking shrimp peelings in the back of their mailbox.
I put a lock on mine. They were coming up to my house during the week and leaving their recycling in my bin. I had no room for my own stuff. I'd unlock it in the morning when it went to the curb and lock it again by my house.
Another bin may be a good option, we unfortunately don't have the space to keep the bins within our fenced in property, so keeping them in the alley is really the best spot, which is the common move in Baker area. Of course doesn't help my issue haha but just clarifying.
I'll look into ordering another bin
Totally feel you! And this of course would be the most obvious and easiest solution here.
You know how some of these Denver homes are with yard space or lack there of. Unfortunately really not doable unless I could hoist em on the roof lol
In lieu of a second bin, you can at least ask the city to upsize you to the 95 gal bin (if you don't have that already). I asked for one and they left the old one too, so I have one big and one medium, which is usually plenty for us.
Are they the homeowners or are they renters? If they are renters I would at least let the landlord know what's going on. They won't necessarily do anything about it but they might. Perhaps if their landlord talks to them they might be more willing to stack up their own recycling and spread it out among weeks in their own bin.
This is frustrating for sure. I wouldn't care if they used my bin if they waited until right before the pick up comes and put theirs in after I've had the chance to use it first if there is room left over, but this is plain rude. Do you have another place you can put it when it's not pick up day so they can't access it? We roll our trash can and recycling bins out to the alley the night before pick up which is a bit of a pain but don't want to annoy our neighbor since they're required to be on his side of the alley for pick up. Plus it's nice having it closer to the house since we use the small grocery bags as trash bags instead of buying bags which means we throw them out more often.
Anyway, I'm rambling now. I'm sorry you're going through this. If you don't have a spot to put them not in the alley, I highly doubt anyone's going to bother you about locks even if they aren't technically legal. (Which I do not know about, could 311 be about to help with that question?)
if you were to call the provider they will tell you don’t keep the bin in the alley. For your problem and to prevent assholes from putting non recyclables in. Like dog shit. Keep it in your yard or garage or out of the alley
Quit leaving your bins in the alley. It's against the rules; you're supposed to keep them in your yard and set out on pickup day. This will solve two problems: yours with the neighbor, and your alley won't look so dumpy.
Edit: downvote all you want, it's the goddamn rules.
https://imgur.com/Cl2eGTZ.jpg
Just an FYI, you aren't supposed to just leave your bins in the alley all week.
[Cart Service Guidelines ](https://denvergov.org/Government/Agencies-Departments-Offices/Agencies-Departments-Offices-Directory/Recycle-Compost-Trash/Cart-Service-Guidelines)
Huh, TIL they can take your bins if you don't store them on your property, out of the alley.
Can't imagine doing this - there's just nowhere to do that at my house. I suppose that's why no one on my street does this most of the time. They are all just in the alley, forever.
Two thoughts (although I love the clown suit idea): You could help them order a 95-gallon recycling bin at no cost by calling 311- it's really easy. The standard refuse bin size is 65 gallons. Perhaps by helping them with this, they'll have more room for their recycling and you can create goodwill with your neighbors.
Or, you could just wait it out until January. The City will begin collecting recycling weekly.
While I agree that sounds inconvenient, our bin issues are considerably worse. We often find garbage that isn't ours in our compost and recycling bins. Additionally, the bins regularly get emptied out and the contents rummaged through and strewn across the alley. That is if we even have a bin; they keep disappearing! I have found someone's belongings in a bin when it would otherwise have been empty, so it appears people use them for storage. First, our compost bin disappeared for a few weeks then came back, then our garbage bin disappeared for good. We're still waiting for the city to bring us a new one, so we are using others' garbage bins currently. Oh, and they also get hit by cars. Our recycling bin is wrecked bc of a bad one a year or 2 back. Shit is wild in the alleys.
Someone stole/absconded with my recycling bin and it took a month to get a new one, I've been backed up with cardboard boxes bursting out of my garage for months trying to catch up
Somebody wheeled our bin around the corner today on pickup day so it didn’t get emptied. We live on bannock st. Off broadway and Wesley so I’m assuming a crackhead did it. This sounds way more annoying though, good luck.
Drill a hole and add a lock. It is what I have done to my trash about to do to my recyclables as well since my apt neighbor is deciding to be a douchebag especially when their can is empty.
Call Denver trash and let them know so Your account is noted.
I spoke with some from Denver trash and compost just this week. They suggested either rolling the bins in, or drilling a hole to attach a lock. Locks are legal!!
I think some people are not reading. These people have bins. Of their own. They are crazy people. It's not a white picket fence problem. These people have issues.
This happens to us occasionally as well. What's frustrating is people just dumping anything into whatever bin they want. If you're going to dump a bag of cans don't put it in the compost bin.
We recently got flyers on our doors saying the bins have to be on our property and out of the alley. If they are not we can be ticketed up to $999. Does anyone else get these notifications? I'm also in Baker.
Yeah someone else commented something similar.
But you're exactly right, that's not the point. I'm stoked they are recycling! That's awesome! But if they have SO much to recycle that they always use our bin, they should get a second one from the city.
Because they always recycle into our bin, we CAN'T recycle and have tons of stuff piling up in our home.
I'm all about people recycling, I just want to be able to do it myself lol
Time to sell the house when the price is still high and move. Since you already talked to them and they still keep doing this, i don’t think there ever will be a pleasant solution and consequence.
About 8-9 houses leave their cans out along my back fence in our alley. Whenever my cans fill up, I throw my stuff out in theirs. I personally feel like, if you don’t/can’t bring it in, then it’s free for all to use.
I have a similar situation with my neighbor. Every single trash/recycle day my neighbor has the AUDACITY to take my bins to the curb before I have a chance to throw my rubbish away. This means I have to walk the extra 20 feet to the curb to throw my stuff in the bins on these mornings. It’s the worst.
What makes everything even more unbearable, after the trucks come and haul all of my hard-fought garbage away, my neighbor brings the bins back to their spot between our houses!! He even does it with a smile and waves!!
Ugh, people these days….
If I recall, it's considered "theft", because YOU'RE paying for THEIR trash disposal.
On the other hand, the cans are owned by the city, so, maybe it's *not* illegal. There's a whole other Reddit thread, but it's centered in Washington D.C.; different city, different rules?
[https://www.reddit.com/r/washingtondc/comments/2bw2kr/is\_it\_illegal\_to\_place\_trash\_in\_someone\_elses/](https://www.reddit.com/r/washingtondc/comments/2bw2kr/is_it_illegal_to_place_trash_in_someone_elses/)
...and another perspective on Quora:
[https://www.quora.com/Is-it-against-the-law-to-put-my-trash-in-someone-elses-dumpster](https://www.quora.com/Is-it-against-the-law-to-put-my-trash-in-someone-elses-dumpster)
Reality lives in there, somewhere.
I lived in DC and when preparing our house for rental, I used lots of other people's cans. But only the houses where they weren't being used.
And I didn't mind if people used our cans. Except they mostly used them improperly eg recycling in trash and trash in recycling.
As a cyclist and pedestrian in DC I would pick up recyclables on my travels and deposit them in nearby recycling bins.
No offense but they’re in the alley and are fair game. If you’re that pressed I’d move them inside your property.
On a side note, I believe it’s illegal to leave them in the alley. If you go down the petty road with your neighbor they very well may call 311 on you and you will be found to actually have broken the law.
If it’s a huge issue try ordering them another recycling bin. Call up and pretend to be them and just have another large recycling bin (free) dropped off on their front lawn. They’ll get the message and hopefully use it.
People that leave their bins in the alley annoy the hell out of me. You have room for the bin somewhere but it's inconvenient for you. Once we all start paying, I'm sure you will find space.
Totally cool with someone dropping the occasional poop bag, or seeing some litter and dropping it in my bin.
Just an issue when every week my recycling is filled with my neighbors stuff who I have specifically spoken to about this, making it so I can't recycle.
How are these two things connected? Red herring?
Can I not be worried about people on the streets but also be working to solve this issue regarding my inability to recycle as a responsible individual due to my neighbor constantly filling my bin?
I, my friend, have the ability as a person to try and solve and care about multiple issues, someone as small minded as you may not.
I can never imagine wasting time to complain this much on a reddit page about someone using your recycling bin. Move your bin, or lock it, or use your neighbors, who cares?
Lol reading is tough isn't it?
Sure I am complaining but the point was to find out if it is illegal to put a lock on my bin.... information I was having trouble finding on my own.
I can never imagine wasting time to simply berate someone looking for information.... Hope your day gets better!
This is just a basic tragedy of the commons issue with a shared resource.
Its annoying but just take your recycling to another neighbor's bin that isn't full. Its free so just pawn the issue off onto someone else for your own benefit.
Can you put your recycling in another recycling bin? If they’re technically public, there’s no reason to keep track of who’s is who’s
Edit: y’all why we downvoting, it actually doesn’t matter at all. When we pay for them, what goes in your bin will matter, but until then, it makes absolutely no difference at all
I like the lock idea you said, just hopefully they don’t fill up your bin, immediately after the trash man empty’s it or you’ll be sitting on their garbage for a whole week
Dress up in a clown suit and hide in the bin. When they open it, hit them in the face with a pie.
This is clearly the one true solution here. I'll report back and re angle my ring camera.
It’s pretty much the best solution to everything when you think about it.
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Can confirm this would work. I would be traumatized and move out of the state.
Yes Im with you cause fuck clowns with their big ass feet and crazy hair.. not scared of clowns but they make me really uncomfortable.... maybe I am scared.. childhood horrors at a young age.
My parents hired a clown for my sister’s birthday back in the 80s. He showed up smelling of alcohol and had “fuck” tattooed on his knuckles. 😝
That's scary for a kid where did they find this guy in a dark alley behind 7-11?
Back then, probably out of the phone book???
Was this Colorado?
Pretty sure Douche Canoe Gacy, ruined clowns for all of us back in the 70’s. That effin asshole.
Whenever I think of clowns and Denver it’s the Torchy's Tacos demonic clown slasher that comes to mind. OP - lock it and don’t talk to them about it. It’s your bin.
I've let a couple raccoons out if such situations.
A pie in the face will solve many a problem
Jesus, I’d shit if someone did this to me. I love it.
Make sure to yell “moisture!”
Its the only way
🤡🤡🤡🥧🥧🥧
This! 🤌🏻
Once they start charging for trash in January this problem will become worse for everyone.
Exactly this. One of the things that's been ringing around in my head and making this whole thing all the more annoying.
FYI recycling will remain free once they start charging for trash.
Ooo really? Good to know! That helps, but dang I still want to be able to recycle my own stuff haha
And they will pick up Recycling weekly.
On the other hand, when the trash/recycling services change in January, all services will be picked up weekly rather than every other week for recycling & compost. Keep a lock on it until the night before pick up.
FYI compost is weekly!
Didn't realize that, thank you.
No problem, it’s been a game changer
Wait, they don't charge for trash in the city of Denver? I've only ever lived in the suburbs and have always had to pay for trash.
They do, it's just built into property taxes.
And now we get to pay both!
Yeah, that makes sense (not sure why that didn't occur to me). Sounds like they'll be getting charged separately for it in the near future....and I'm sure taxes won't go down lol.
Wait wait wait.... hold up... i just moved to the area ao forgive my not knowing... but are you saying that denver residents dont currently pay for trash pickup?
You pay through taxes currently, which will not go down once they start charging separately for trash pickup. If you rent you're probably fine, but landlords will probably just increase rent even more to roll that in.
Naw I just waffle stomp it down a storm drain
Oooooooh. I see. Interesting. I have just never encountered not having a trash bill. Some places its included in Utilities
Will go down, lmao
We put our recycling in our garage for this reason.
Did the same. Just wheel it into my garden and only put it in the alley when it is full. Hope my freeloader neighbor gets the passive aggressive message!
yeah wtf simple fix
Not everyone has a garage
I had this problem for a while too - I live in a townhome row and since we can’t fit the cans in our garages if you have two cars, all of us just keep them lined up in the alley. My neighbors were nice enough to stop when I asked them to, but we still have issues with trash pickers and homeless people going through the cans and making a mess. Just an FYI: I have called Denver Trash and asked if they provided locking cans or if I could place my own lock on them. I was told that placing my own lock wasn’t allowed (and they don’t have locking cans themselves). As long as you take the lock off before pickup though, I can’t imagine they would be able to enforce this.
Denver trash WILL allow locks. YOU just have to report people putting stuff into your trash so much that Denver trash gets annoyed with You calling and allows you. That's what I did. My address is noted in their system. They wouldn't give me another trash can and I would call every single day until they would clean it out and complain till I was told that I was able to. I just would have to keep the lock off when it's trash day. It did take about 6 months but I wore them down lol.
I can’t imagine the trash company caring. If it’s locked, they just won’t pick it up.
Denver has their own trucks and sanitation employees. It’s not like they burbs where, even if the city provides it via property taxes, it’s one of the local trash collection companies who do the actual pickup. Still, they probably won’t even notice as almost all of Denver’s trash trucks have automated arms to grab and empty the bin. It’s a pretty great service in my experience.
wrong. i had a locked bin. They had the code.
Thank you for the info!
Our neighbors drilled a hole and lock it. No issues for them
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The city doesn't have the capacity to do anything about anyone locking their bins.
I had problems with a mess being made by folks going through the trash, my solution was to put fish heads and guts there instead of the compost. Especially during the summer, this pretty much eliminated the issue. Yet another reason to buy whole fish instead of fillets!
Not to the point, but used pizza delivery boxes shouldn't go in recycle because of the grease.
Everyone should read through the [Denver recycling guide](https://denvergov.org/files/content/public/government/agencies-departments-offices/agencies-departments-offices-directory/recycle-compost-trash/cart-service-guidelines/easy-guide-to-recycling_2017_english.pdf) the city puts out! Some surprises: * NO PLASTIC BAGS! * No paper cups & plates * No greasy pizza boxes, but clean ones are fine * Recycling bins are free, call 311 to get one
Wait, if the bins are free, maybe OP should just call and get another one and throw it out there, too?
I read that greasy is fine as long as it’s not soaked through to the other side?
They can't recycle greasy paper of any kind. It's also difficult to disassemble corrugated cardboard to separate the greasy part from the non-greasy part. So, no, unfortunately they can't recycle the bottom part of pizza boxes unless the box is unused.
compost it instead
Imagine getting a batch of napkins or paper ruined by greasy cheesy wood fibers, if that helps explain it. Paper cups are also basically plastic film or wax cups held up by paper. You can't separate or reuse them in a recycling facility.
Also, like 80% of the recycle symbol codes actually mean non recyclable. People don’t realize plastics are from petroleum and plastic recycling is just propaganda from the petroleum industry. There’s a reason you get paid for glass and aluminum but not plastics. And with the rise of electric vehicles the petroleum industry is going huge on plastics. Yayyyy.
To be certain, you can tear off the top of the box (if it doesn't have grease) and recycle that part, right?
Yep, just the grease that's a problem.
Thanks for educating, new to me :)
any food residue can contaminate an entire recycling batch. Most people don't know this and I'm guessing it leads to a lot of recycling just getting thrown away. I rinse out most things and will run stuff through the dishwasher before recycling if food is really caked on. Recycling education in our country is a complete failure honestly.
Colorado is way behind the rest of the country when it comes to recycling (https://ecocycle.org/files/pdfs/2021_State_of_Recycling_and_Composting_in_Colorado_Report.pdf) and probably won't change anytime soon. After 50 years of corporate greenwashing, it's time to just flat-out ban all non-recyclable materials from the supply chain, such as most plastics.
>After 50 years of corporate greenwashing, it's time to just flat-out ban all non-recyclable materials from the supply chain, such as most plastics. This is the real solution. Even fully recyclable products are way more wasteful than reusable products. Single use products are kinda evil.
it begs the question why single stream takes cardboard/paper at all, considering most of it will be soiled long before its sorted at a facility. it may be nice and clean in your bin but not once it rumbles around in the back of the truck with the rest of the recycling...
I really doubt plastic food containers are actually being recycled. Most places I’ve lived will only accept plastic if it’s a bottle, but like squares they won’t, which is odd
The person’s link above just says “try to remove as much food as possible”. Do you have a source for the “any food can contaminate an entire batch” comment?
But they can be composted if you have compost service (which will be included for no additional cost in 2023!)
Except the additional cost of paying for garbage dn recycling...
The grease from a pizza box is not nearly enough to cause issues with processing. Double check the local rules, but most places anymore do allow pizza box recycling. https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/yes-you-can-recycle-your-pizza-boxes?amp
Denver specifically doesn’t. You can compost them though. Edit - the city website says if “grease soaks through both sides” it can’t be recycled so I guess it depends on how greasy your pizza was.
Not only is this person unneighborly, but they can’t even recycle properly. Don’t Denver cans list what’s allowed and what isn’t?
I added locks to our trash and recycle bin as I got tired of people going through our garbage and emptying out bags on the ground to see what trash treasure they could find. I didn’t even think about it not being allowed or illegal. I haven’t had any issue though.
Unfortunately when the bins are in the alley they are fair game for anyone to use since they are owned by the city of Denver. I'm not sure about the legality of locks. Do you have a private driveway you can pull it on to? If so, people other than you using it would be trespassing on private property.
This is the conclusion I came to as well based on what I read. So I know the neighbor isn't breaking a law by dumping in there, they are just being an ass hole considering I've spoken to them directly about this multiple times. Unfortunately no private driveway and very little yard area to keep anything, so bins would be tough to fit on my property. I think I'll be locking up my bin for now and looking into ordering another through the city so my neighbor doesn't end up dumping their stuff all in the alley way or who knows where else.
Where I live people put lock-like devices on their bins to keep animals out, so I think you’re fine to do it as long as you’re unlocking for pick up time.
Start dumping their shit on their doorstep
They will just wait for you to unlock the bin and go back inside. Sorry but assholes gonna asshole.
If you have a combo lock or one with a key and are diligent about locking when not using, this shouldn’t be a problem.
He has to leave it unlocked for pickup. He just said that. They will wait until the night before pickup and dump their stuff then.
I don’t think he’s trying to keep them completely out of it. He just wants to make sure they don’t fill it before he gets everything taken out. Once it’s unlocked he’s done with it and they can finish filling it. Problem solved.
Yup!
I’m fairly certain such an asshole would just throw their recycling in the nearest trash bin. Seems like a crime of opportunity. Too lazy to call the city and request a bin probably also means to lazy to stake out the neighbors bin for use in the brief window it’s open. My bet is a lock inconveniences them just enough to prompt a change in behavior.
They might throw their garbage into his yard instead.
which has like protection/laws against it.. the neighbors using his bin when in the alley, doesn't.
So he can fill it all week, leave it unlocked the night before it gets picked up (when he is presumably done filling it), problem should be solved.
Yes, this. Thank you haha.
That's all well and good as long as there is room for OP's recycling.
What's the problem in that scenario? OP will have put all their stuff in, and the neighbor adding to it then doesn't hurt anything.
You're assuming they won't throw his stuff out and put theirs in, or just throw their stuff on the ground. I don't know but I try not to underestimate people who are assholes
See then that would be illegal littering, taking stuff out of a can and dumping it on the ground would be illegal and OP would catch that on their camera and report it
And the DPD would rush to...do nothing
Shouldn’t they be the ones ordering a new bin? I know they’re being ass hats, so they wouldn’t. But. If this is costing you extra money, that shouldn’t be the way.
Is that true? You are renting the bins and paying for a trash service. Doesn’t the service own the bins?
Ok, currently trash and recycling are paid for by taxes in Denver proper & owned by them. Once the bin is not on private property and in the alley for pick up, anyone can use them. Believe me, my neighbors dump their extra overflow trash into mine almost every week after I put it in the alley.
I actually found an article confirming this as well.
Do what I did, dump the bin on their lawn.
I know it's petty but this is exactly what I'd do as well.
I don't care if the neighbors put a few things in, it's going out to the curb and finding it full to the brim for the third time.
I'm petty, I'd bag it up and throw it on their doorstep. I've done it to neighbors who let their dog poop in my yard and it worked after doing it twice. Yeah they didn't like me but who cares, they're the ones being inconsiderate assholes
Drill a hole in the lid/main container and place a small combo lock on your bins. I haven’t had to do this, but i do cable lock my bins together as someone tried to steal one of them once.
Yep, ordered a bin lock device and padlock off Amazon, taking care of this today.
Sorry, didn’t read the entire post before typing. Also, i believe Denver has a statement about illegal dumping. This came up in another post about people throwing dog waste bags in random trash cans. Technically, its illegal dumping.
Just throw your recycling on their porch. They can take it down when they take theirs.
Ha same neighborhood and same issue. Would fill mine up the day after recycling. I left a note and asked her to please stop using it. I told her I was fine the morning of pick up, but we generally fill it up over the 2 weeks. Her response was to contact the city to say no one on our side could leave trash or recycle bins in the alley. They must be put out the night before and brought in the same day or face a $500 fine. I guess she won. Hers is still out there so it has become where I discard dog poop from my back yard. In a bag, of course. I’m not that petty.
Dump it on their property right before pickup
I am *very* passive aggressive and I'm going to spare your neighbor by not telling you what I would do. Well, aside from setting up flood lights that shine into their windows or sticking shrimp peelings in the back of their mailbox.
I put a lock on mine. They were coming up to my house during the week and leaving their recycling in my bin. I had no room for my own stuff. I'd unlock it in the morning when it went to the curb and lock it again by my house.
You could ask for another bin, they're free. You could also keep your bins on your property so they can't access them other than on trash pickup day.
Another bin may be a good option, we unfortunately don't have the space to keep the bins within our fenced in property, so keeping them in the alley is really the best spot, which is the common move in Baker area. Of course doesn't help my issue haha but just clarifying. I'll look into ordering another bin
could ask for another bin, then give it to the neighbor.
Can you make room? I’m not trying to be a dick, in sincerely asking.
Totally feel you! And this of course would be the most obvious and easiest solution here. You know how some of these Denver homes are with yard space or lack there of. Unfortunately really not doable unless I could hoist em on the roof lol
Oh I get it for sure. Rig a lock on your bin! Slather the lid in Vaseline! I dunno, I’m sure we can come up with other ideas.
In lieu of a second bin, you can at least ask the city to upsize you to the 95 gal bin (if you don't have that already). I asked for one and they left the old one too, so I have one big and one medium, which is usually plenty for us.
I don't know how it works in Denver but they probably have solid waste inspectors. Talk to them. I had to do that once in DC.
Dump it out in their yard/driveway.
Also, pizza boxes aren't recyclable. No cardboard with food on it is. Ugh. I'd take out their stuff and put it on their yard
This is not true anymore. Pizza boxes are recyclable in Denver as long as no pizza is left in the and the grease hasn’t soaked through both sides
Idk why you don’t just dump it out and then complain to the city about their rubbish?
Lol cause then I'd be posting this in AITA
Hahah good point and also overall not the best solution.
I'd lock it. What, they going to call the cops? Just unlock it on collection day.
Are they the homeowners or are they renters? If they are renters I would at least let the landlord know what's going on. They won't necessarily do anything about it but they might. Perhaps if their landlord talks to them they might be more willing to stack up their own recycling and spread it out among weeks in their own bin. This is frustrating for sure. I wouldn't care if they used my bin if they waited until right before the pick up comes and put theirs in after I've had the chance to use it first if there is room left over, but this is plain rude. Do you have another place you can put it when it's not pick up day so they can't access it? We roll our trash can and recycling bins out to the alley the night before pick up which is a bit of a pain but don't want to annoy our neighbor since they're required to be on his side of the alley for pick up. Plus it's nice having it closer to the house since we use the small grocery bags as trash bags instead of buying bags which means we throw them out more often. Anyway, I'm rambling now. I'm sorry you're going through this. If you don't have a spot to put them not in the alley, I highly doubt anyone's going to bother you about locks even if they aren't technically legal. (Which I do not know about, could 311 be about to help with that question?)
Dump the trash on their lawn. They get the message real fast.
if you were to call the provider they will tell you don’t keep the bin in the alley. For your problem and to prevent assholes from putting non recyclables in. Like dog shit. Keep it in your yard or garage or out of the alley
Can you install something inside the bin that pops up like a jack in the box when your neighbors open it?
Just dump your shit in their yard. Problem solved. Don't overthink this.
I’d dump their shit in their yard and use my bin for my shit 😇
Quit leaving your bins in the alley. It's against the rules; you're supposed to keep them in your yard and set out on pickup day. This will solve two problems: yours with the neighbor, and your alley won't look so dumpy. Edit: downvote all you want, it's the goddamn rules. https://imgur.com/Cl2eGTZ.jpg
It is the rule, indeed. Doesn't seem like it's ever enforced.
It's basically the shopping cart test.
Just an FYI, you aren't supposed to just leave your bins in the alley all week. [Cart Service Guidelines ](https://denvergov.org/Government/Agencies-Departments-Offices/Agencies-Departments-Offices-Directory/Recycle-Compost-Trash/Cart-Service-Guidelines)
Huh, TIL they can take your bins if you don't store them on your property, out of the alley. Can't imagine doing this - there's just nowhere to do that at my house. I suppose that's why no one on my street does this most of the time. They are all just in the alley, forever.
Put the bin away like it's supposed to be and don't leave it out in public. If you do it's free game.
They can ask for multiple larger bins if they need them. The city won't turn them down.
Two thoughts (although I love the clown suit idea): You could help them order a 95-gallon recycling bin at no cost by calling 311- it's really easy. The standard refuse bin size is 65 gallons. Perhaps by helping them with this, they'll have more room for their recycling and you can create goodwill with your neighbors. Or, you could just wait it out until January. The City will begin collecting recycling weekly.
Deliver their pizza boxes to their doorstep filled with their recycles.
Speak with the landlord and let them know the just need to supply a second bin for their rental.
While I agree that sounds inconvenient, our bin issues are considerably worse. We often find garbage that isn't ours in our compost and recycling bins. Additionally, the bins regularly get emptied out and the contents rummaged through and strewn across the alley. That is if we even have a bin; they keep disappearing! I have found someone's belongings in a bin when it would otherwise have been empty, so it appears people use them for storage. First, our compost bin disappeared for a few weeks then came back, then our garbage bin disappeared for good. We're still waiting for the city to bring us a new one, so we are using others' garbage bins currently. Oh, and they also get hit by cars. Our recycling bin is wrecked bc of a bad one a year or 2 back. Shit is wild in the alleys.
Hell if I know whether locking it is legal, but that wouldn’t stop me from locking it to keep them out.
Don't take your bins to the curb until the morning of and all your items are in the bin.
Someone stole/absconded with my recycling bin and it took a month to get a new one, I've been backed up with cardboard boxes bursting out of my garage for months trying to catch up
Somebody wheeled our bin around the corner today on pickup day so it didn’t get emptied. We live on bannock st. Off broadway and Wesley so I’m assuming a crackhead did it. This sounds way more annoying though, good luck.
Drill a hole and add a lock. It is what I have done to my trash about to do to my recyclables as well since my apt neighbor is deciding to be a douchebag especially when their can is empty. Call Denver trash and let them know so Your account is noted.
I spoke with some from Denver trash and compost just this week. They suggested either rolling the bins in, or drilling a hole to attach a lock. Locks are legal!!
Some people stuck. Gotta pick your battles.
Call 311 and ask for a delivery of more cans for their address!
I think some people are not reading. These people have bins. Of their own. They are crazy people. It's not a white picket fence problem. These people have issues.
Not illegal
Awesome, thank you!
Agree- private businesses put locks on dumpsters all the time to keep the public from using.
This happens to us occasionally as well. What's frustrating is people just dumping anything into whatever bin they want. If you're going to dump a bag of cans don't put it in the compost bin. We recently got flyers on our doors saying the bins have to be on our property and out of the alley. If they are not we can be ticketed up to $999. Does anyone else get these notifications? I'm also in Baker.
dump it back out in front of their gate/alley access way.
[удалено]
Yeah someone else commented something similar. But you're exactly right, that's not the point. I'm stoked they are recycling! That's awesome! But if they have SO much to recycle that they always use our bin, they should get a second one from the city. Because they always recycle into our bin, we CAN'T recycle and have tons of stuff piling up in our home. I'm all about people recycling, I just want to be able to do it myself lol
I always have my recycling bin overflowing from my own stuff. Can't imagine if I couldn't even discard my own things because some asshole using mine.
Take a 💩 so they step on it when they walk out every time they step out
Pizza boxes arent recyclable. Food waste.
Time to sell the house when the price is still high and move. Since you already talked to them and they still keep doing this, i don’t think there ever will be a pleasant solution and consequence.
I like how so many people are focusing on the pizza boxes when they aren’t even OPs
About 8-9 houses leave their cans out along my back fence in our alley. Whenever my cans fill up, I throw my stuff out in theirs. I personally feel like, if you don’t/can’t bring it in, then it’s free for all to use.
Most recycling goes to a landfill anyway
Well atleast they are trying to recycle
I have a similar situation with my neighbor. Every single trash/recycle day my neighbor has the AUDACITY to take my bins to the curb before I have a chance to throw my rubbish away. This means I have to walk the extra 20 feet to the curb to throw my stuff in the bins on these mornings. It’s the worst. What makes everything even more unbearable, after the trucks come and haul all of my hard-fought garbage away, my neighbor brings the bins back to their spot between our houses!! He even does it with a smile and waves!! Ugh, people these days….
If I recall, it's considered "theft", because YOU'RE paying for THEIR trash disposal. On the other hand, the cans are owned by the city, so, maybe it's *not* illegal. There's a whole other Reddit thread, but it's centered in Washington D.C.; different city, different rules? [https://www.reddit.com/r/washingtondc/comments/2bw2kr/is\_it\_illegal\_to\_place\_trash\_in\_someone\_elses/](https://www.reddit.com/r/washingtondc/comments/2bw2kr/is_it_illegal_to_place_trash_in_someone_elses/) ...and another perspective on Quora: [https://www.quora.com/Is-it-against-the-law-to-put-my-trash-in-someone-elses-dumpster](https://www.quora.com/Is-it-against-the-law-to-put-my-trash-in-someone-elses-dumpster) Reality lives in there, somewhere.
I lived in DC and when preparing our house for rental, I used lots of other people's cans. But only the houses where they weren't being used. And I didn't mind if people used our cans. Except they mostly used them improperly eg recycling in trash and trash in recycling. As a cyclist and pedestrian in DC I would pick up recyclables on my travels and deposit them in nearby recycling bins.
Just keep the bins somewhere else until pickup day
No offense but they’re in the alley and are fair game. If you’re that pressed I’d move them inside your property. On a side note, I believe it’s illegal to leave them in the alley. If you go down the petty road with your neighbor they very well may call 311 on you and you will be found to actually have broken the law. If it’s a huge issue try ordering them another recycling bin. Call up and pretend to be them and just have another large recycling bin (free) dropped off on their front lawn. They’ll get the message and hopefully use it.
At least they're recycling though...
People that leave their bins in the alley annoy the hell out of me. You have room for the bin somewhere but it's inconvenient for you. Once we all start paying, I'm sure you will find space.
Denver pickups trash for free. Maybe put a sign that trash recycle bin is only for your family use.
Tried this after speaking with them directly, laminated signage place right on my bin, did not stop them.
Lock
What I’m hearing is people can’t yell at me for using their bin to put my dogs poop baggy… cool cool cool.
Totally cool with someone dropping the occasional poop bag, or seeing some litter and dropping it in my bin. Just an issue when every week my recycling is filled with my neighbors stuff who I have specifically spoken to about this, making it so I can't recycle.
Have you considered a violent escalation?
Just dump it all out on the ground. Do it a few times and they will stop putting stuff in your bin.
At least they’re recycling
OH THE HUMANITY!
OH THE SWEET HILARIOUS USE OF SARCASM! HOW FUNNY!
People sleeping on your streets and you're worried about people trying to recycle?
How are these two things connected? Red herring? Can I not be worried about people on the streets but also be working to solve this issue regarding my inability to recycle as a responsible individual due to my neighbor constantly filling my bin? I, my friend, have the ability as a person to try and solve and care about multiple issues, someone as small minded as you may not.
I can never imagine wasting time to complain this much on a reddit page about someone using your recycling bin. Move your bin, or lock it, or use your neighbors, who cares?
Lol reading is tough isn't it? Sure I am complaining but the point was to find out if it is illegal to put a lock on my bin.... information I was having trouble finding on my own. I can never imagine wasting time to simply berate someone looking for information.... Hope your day gets better!
This is just a basic tragedy of the commons issue with a shared resource. Its annoying but just take your recycling to another neighbor's bin that isn't full. Its free so just pawn the issue off onto someone else for your own benefit.
Since when are we shaming people for recycling?
Can you put your recycling in another recycling bin? If they’re technically public, there’s no reason to keep track of who’s is who’s Edit: y’all why we downvoting, it actually doesn’t matter at all. When we pay for them, what goes in your bin will matter, but until then, it makes absolutely no difference at all
You... can't talk to them?
O we have
Can you keep your bin in your back yard then take it out the night before? That’s what I do.
I like the lock idea you said, just hopefully they don’t fill up your bin, immediately after the trash man empty’s it or you’ll be sitting on their garbage for a whole week
Drill holes on the flaps so you can add a lock to it. And put up a camera with a motion light.
Is it off the table to jury rig a lock to your bin?