Trash Collection Etiquette - When is Too Early?

I need to get this off my chest because it's been driving me crazy.

This morning at 5:30 AM I was woken up by someone dragging their trash bins down the street. Collection isn't until Thursday afternoon! I looked out my window and saw my neighbor putting out THREE bins at 5:30 in the morning on a Monday.

I thought the general rule was bins go out Wednesday night at the earliest? Putting them out Monday morning just creates an eyesore for the entire week and attracts raccoons and stray dogs.

Am I being unreasonable here? What's the earliest time you think is acceptable to put bins out?

Karen, I totally understand your frustration. I work nights and get home around 6 AM, so I know exactly what you mean about the noise.

But honestly, some of us have really hectic schedules. I sometimes put mine out Sunday night because I leave for work at 4 AM and don't get home until Friday evening. If I wait until Wednesday night, I'll forget and then I'm stuck with overflowing bins for another week.

Maybe there's a compromise here?

I'm with Karen on this one. Monday morning is absolutely ridiculous!

The raccoons on my street have learned the schedule better than some residents apparently. They know exactly when to come around and make a mess. When people put bins out too early, it just gives them more time to get into everything.

Wednesday evening after 6 PM should be the earliest. That's what the waste management flyer said when they changed our pickup day.

Look, I get that everyone wants their street to look nice, but some of us are doing the best we can. I'm a single dad working two jobs. If I can remember to get the bins out on Sunday when I'm doing household chores, then that's when they're going out.

The bins are designed to keep animals out if people would actually use them properly. The problem isn't when they go out, it's people overstuffing them and leaving lids open.

As someone who serves on the Highland Park HOA board, I can tell you this comes up at every single meeting.

The official policy is bins can be placed at the curb no earlier than 7 PM the evening before collection and must be removed by 7 PM the day after collection.

That said, we don't have a "bin police" and we try to be understanding of people's work schedules. But Monday morning for Thursday pickup is really pushing it.

Well maybe we SHOULD have "bin police" because clearly some people can't figure out basic courtesy!

I've lived on Oak Street for 15 years and it's gotten progressively worse. People treat the curb like their personal storage area. Bins, recycling, yard waste, broken furniture - you name it.

And don't even get me started on people who don't bring their bins back in for days after pickup!

Wow, this thread really took off! 😅

Can I just say that as someone who's lived in three different neighborhoods, we actually have it pretty good here in Miller County? I've seen places where bins are out permanently and nobody cares.

Maybe we could all just try to be a little more understanding of each other's situations? And if the raccoons are really a problem, there are clips you can buy to keep the lids secure.

We're neighbors, not enemies! ❤️