Neighbors Raise Stink Over Trash Containers

Concern is mounting in the city’s College Park East and Gold Coast areas over trash containers left out on streets and sidewalks after garbage collection.

So worried are neighbors in College Park East that Councilwoman Patty Campbell publicly urged residents to put cans away after trash collection days.

“I have been receiving calls from throughout College Park East that people don’t push their trash cans behind their gates, and they’re seeing lots of cans left out in the neighborhood,” Campbell said at the council’s meeting Monday night. “Please make the effort to get them out of sight.”

The cans, mostly 60-gallon containers on wheels, are part of a citywide recycling effort implemented by Briggeman Disposal and the city about six months ago.

The program involves three containers to hold regular trash, recyclables and green waste.

Residents in the Old Town and Gold Coast areas have complained that narrow lot sizes make it difficult to fit the rolling containers between homes and gates.

Michelle Brendel, an Ocean Avenue resident, said that the unwieldy cans are difficult for her to manage and block one of two entrances to her property when moved off the street.

In an act challenging the city, Brendel leaves her cans on the street all week, raising the ire of neighbors and city officials.

City codes prohibit residents from leaving objects in the public right-of-way, blocking traffic and street sweepers.