What can go in a South Orange garbage can?

We’ve been having problems with SO Disposal not picking up the trash from one or both of our garbage cans. When I call they make some vague noise about the content and then pick it up “as a courtesy”. 

Does anyone know if there is a specific list of what you can and cannot throw away in the garbage?  I have looked on the web but, so far, I have come up with zip

As far as I know, anything goes as long as it's inside a 13-gallon trash bag.

The areas where we’ve had trouble are things that might be considered construction materials or lawn waste.  Not sure I’ve ever seen official rules though.  Good luck!

The 13-gallon-bag rule is because they send someone down the driveway to take the bags out of the can, carry them up the driveway, and put them in the truck. Unlike the rest of the world, where you drag the can to the curb yourself and a worker (or lifting arm) lifts it and tosses the contents in the truck. In our system, if the can contains loose debris, it's hard for the worker to carry the contents back to the truck.

I don't remember where I learned this rule (town publication vs. literature from SO Disposal?), but it was somewhere official. The idea is to preserve the beauty of the town by keeping trash cans out of sight. 

I'd be happy to switch to curb-side pickup, especially if it came with bulk pickup.

In addition to lawn/construction waste, isn’t there a rule against putting recyclables in the regular garbage?

The guys on my trash route don't seem to take the bags out of the trash, they usually dump the contents out and leave the bags as liners behind. If I do have something that looks like it might be yard waste or construction waste I generally don't put too much in at once. There's not a lot of either in any case. If there's something big I generally cut it down to size. I probably put too much thought into it, but I had seen a few 'horror stories' on here before I moved to SO so I try tread lightly with anything that might be on the edge. Haven't had any issues.

The SO Disposal guys on my route only take things that are in plastic garbage bags. If I have a heavy contractor bag, I usually leave it at the curb. They have always taken it. 

Never had an issue.  They have taken everything except grass clippings.  I also give a nice tip twice a year.  

mikescott said:
Never had an issue.  They have taken everything except grass clippings.  I also give a nice tip twice a year.  

 You don't put the trash in bags? You just dump it all in the can? Do they drag your can to the curb and empty it into the truck? Or how does it work? Maybe the service is different in different neighborhoods?

Y’all buying plastic bags for your trash, rather than using paper bags from TJ’s, Shoprite, WF and the like?

A few years ago, a manicured gentleman from SO Disposal came to our house to pick up an item “as a courtesy”. When I asked where I could find a list of what was/wasn’t “allowed”, he told me “basically you’re allowed food garbage”, and mentioned he was a “former owner” (of SO Disposal).

In the less recent past I observed SO Disposal men load and crush a window AC unit from a house 1 street over. In exchange for whatever was in a white envelope handed over by the house’s occupant.

Around here, leaving the trash in large black plastic bags at the curb is pretty common.

It shouldn’t be too taxing for Mr Miele to post a clear cut list of what/isn’t allowed. He may avoid doing it by design- more is likely permissible than many people realize. “Only food garbage” is a wishful fantasy. 

no cat litter either!

peteglider said:
no cat litter either!

 What is the proper way to dispose of cat litter in SO?  I have never been able to figure that out?  Just toss it in the basement?

kthnry said:

mikescott said:
Never had an issue.  They have taken everything except grass clippings.  I also give a nice tip twice a year.  

 You don't put the trash in bags? You just dump it all in the can? Do they drag your can to the curb and empty it into the truck? Or how does it work? Maybe the service is different in different neighborhoods?

As far as I can tell with us the guys take the cans to the truck, dump them and bring them back. Hence the contractor bags I use as liners usually (but don't always) survive the trip. Most of what goes into the contractor bags would be in bags since it usually comes from the kitchen, but stuff that get thrown out in the garage directly into the can is always taken. I have never closed the contractor bags or anything like that.

kthnry said:

mikescott said:
Never had an issue.  They have taken everything except grass clippings.  I also give a nice tip twice a year.  

 You don't put the trash in bags? You just dump it all in the can? Do they drag your can to the curb and empty it into the truck? Or how does it work? Maybe the service is different in different neighborhoods?

 I use plastic bags.  They do drag the whole can to the truck from the back of the house.  They put the cans back in the driveway.  One guy was the same for over 25 years -- truly one of the nicest men you could meet anywhere.  

I honestly think giving them a tip twice a year ($20.00 ) each is what made the difference.  They give my next door neighbor a hard time about following the rules but never say a word to me.  plus my wife always gives them a bottle of cold water in the summer if they come later in their shift.  

mikescott said:

kthnry said:

mikescott said:
Never had an issue.  They have taken everything except grass clippings.  I also give a nice tip twice a year.  

 You don't put the trash in bags? You just dump it all in the can? Do they drag your can to the curb and empty it into the truck? Or how does it work? Maybe the service is different in different neighborhoods?

 I use plastic bags.  They do drag the whole can to the truck from the back of the house.  They put the cans back in the driveway.  One guy was the same for over 25 years -- truly one of the nicest men you could meet anywhere.  
I honestly think giving them a tip twice a year ($20.00 ) each is what made the difference.  They give my next door neighbor a hard time about following the rules but never say a word to me.  plus my wife always gives them a bottle of cold water in the summer if they come later in their shift.  

 Regarding tips twice a year, you give at New Years and when?