I've already had two big trash bags thrown in my garbage this week, presumably in the wee hours of the morning. I'm guessing this will be a city wide issue before too long.

Can't wait for summer heat to cook this slop to a rich ripe bouquet?. Definately not suitable for my "P-tunias". Would old Odor Eaters work, maybe blended with the slop?

I saw on the news on Sunday night that ol' Stenchy has some friends living down at Occupy Portland! And they brought their friends!

Hooray for dirty hippies, whether they're in a park or across the street running the city!

Stenchy has company - my neighbor witnessed a large rat near another neighbor's green slop bucket. It scurried across the street as he approached.

I believe that is the ultimate goal Anthony –the “need” to hire more (PERS sucking) bureaucrats to police the proper handling of garbage.
Funny, I consider myself pretty much a Libertarian – but I think there is a role for government to play in trash pick-up –alas the city of Portland can’t even do this basic task competently.

The fleas on the rats carrying the plague are just waiting....
I am glad I do not live in the city.

Stenchy makes me laugh so hard I sprayed water on my keyboard. Love his outty navel.

All good Portlanders should have Vector Control on speed dial.

We gave up after a week. Our entire house was starting to smell. We try to do our part (recycle, canvas bags), but come on!!!

Part of the problem is the loss of plastic bags from the grocery store. They really did make life easier.

I cannot believe Portlanders are not screaming. We were given no choice in the matter. We are paying the same amount or more for half the garbage pick up. Did you think this had something to do with being green? Please! Wake up!

I lived in Mississippi in the late 70s and the way they got around garbage fees was to throw it along the highway. With the economy like it is what are people supposed to do? Let it pile up in their garage? I predict that you haven't seen anything yet. There is going to be garbage everywhere.

Stenchy waiting to Slurp,
Slurp slurp - the more to slurp the better!

Seriously, am very concerned about the health of our community.

It is not only the finances they have messed up, but now also a healthy livable place to live!

I think this needs to be changed back before the summer. Where is our public health officer? Was the county even informed of this change?

I must know. Where did you buy Stenchy?

There are the same number of waste truck pick-ups coming through now as there were before... Biweekly "yard debris" is now weekly. Weekly garbage is now biweekly. Stinky compostable waste that went weekly before in the garbage can can go weekly now in the "yard debris" can.

I don't understand how stinky compostable waste picked up in the yard debris can each week now is different from stinky compostable waste that was picked up in the garbage can each week.

Separate from that I do like the weekly yard debris pick-up. Bi-weekly wasn't enough for autumn yard clean-up. Or spring clean-up.

It's real simple. The stenchful stuff used to be in plastic bags. Now it's loose in a bin with yard debris. Major, major difference.

And not everybody's doing the program, so it's going to sit in paper bags in garbage cans for two weeks. Rat heaven.

There are the same number of waste truck pick-ups coming through now as there were before

So what was the point? Landfill space? The slop eventually compacts down to next to nothing.

It's Portland City Hall telling you how to live. The false religion of "sustainability" -- that's what it's all about. Try to think with something other than your bike pants.

Move here mid 1990s

The legacy is the city is now far dirtier, far more violent, devoid of real business encouragement, beyond broke, and dictatorial.

I am leaving.

PdxMark: you must not have any children in diapers.

This city is just nuts, taking giant leaps backwards in the name of being "green."

Much less violent, actually:

http://portlandpulse.org/node/58

NPG, I have had children in diapers. Cloth for a time. Disposable for a time. Folks with kids in disposable diapers are the only ones I can think of who for whom the new system would be a problem. How old are your kids NPG?

Your stats are twisted PDXMark.

They are per 1000 people, so coordinate with the population increase.

I'm also going off what my lyin' eyes tell me everyday.

It appears that a few of my neighbors have resorted to burning garbage in their fireplaces, as the air is thick with aromas not associated with wood.

Looks like all of the cans at the park are stuffed full too...

Me thinks very few are changing their trash production habits; only changing where they actually throw it away. Cant wait to see all the illegal dump sites that pop up.

Gee only a week? And that green bin looks pretty raunchy!
How many gallons of Bull Run water are you willing to pay for to clean that gunk outta there?
Is there a near by bioswale in which you can dump the foul liquid? Or do you just drain the watered down slop and detergent or other cleaning agents into the street and into the storm water drains where it ends up in the river? Is that allowed?
So many questions...Just asking.

No problem, Leaving. I'm a delusional bike pants thinker. I get fooled by facts like FBI crime statistics all the time...

...Or do you just drain the watered down slop and detergent or other cleaning agents into the street and into the storm water drains where it ends up in the river? Is that allowed?
So many questions...Just asking.

Did these fools who thought this project up even think about the total picture?
...how did this come about, or did someone just dictate it needed to be done, no questions asked??

It will only get worse: in (formerly Great) Britain, they mount wireless sensors on the bottom of your bin. If it gets too heavy,they fine you. And they don't dump it, either. You must remove some waste, and hope for better luck in the next week.

I can't find another Stenchy but try www.hauntedprops.com for a really scary 20 in tall rat. It might even scare the garbage haulers!

I'm not saying I like the new system, but so far it has not been as bad as expected at our house. We keep the slop bucket outside and transfer stuff to it after meal prep. We dump the bucket in the big green bin daily along with our other "normal" recycling stuff so it's not adding much to the routine.

I put out the garbage can tonight and it's got room for at least one more bag, and this is after two weeks. Still concerned about rats and wasps now that the attractants will be loose in a bin instead of bagged, but I'm pleasantly surprised about reducing the amount of our household trash going to the landfill.

I live in the suburbs (Tigard) and wonder if "Ring around the Rosie" is the new future.

I get fooled by facts like FBI crime statistics all the time...

Yeah, Portland's gang problem isn't getting any worse. Food slop buckets don't cause any inconvenience. Portland livability is up. City Hall's doing a great job.

You used to be a smart guy, Mark. I'm worried about what's happened to you.

I am glad I have three cats. I anticipate they will be needed soon.

I detest this program, especially the reasons behind it's institution. This is bowing to the green altar, and a résumé entry for our mayor.

All that said, any chance for a charity auction for Stenchy? I want one too. C'mon Jack, your audience demands it!!!

Oooh a charity auction for Stenchy!?
I'm in.

With a little work, this ditty could become Stenchy's theme song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAUEOlSpVN4

To PDXMark - Yes the trucks go by the house but they don't pick up GARBAGE they pick up debris and recycling. You all must have tremendous amounts of debris and recycling. I don't, I have garbage.

Wait until mid-July through the end of August. As was stated before, you will be washing the mess into the street every week. An so will everyone else. Thousands of people. Lovely. And with the price of water it is going to add to your water bill.

But what burns me up is we had no say at all and no choice. I know someone is getting some kickback for this one.

...I detest this program, especially the reasons behind it's institution. This is bowing to the green altar, and a résumé entry for our mayor...

Agree, I resent this as well.
A resume entry for our mayor...
I think that may be it.

It can't be that it is for the good of our community.

Is every bag of stuff that shouldn't be going in the yard debris container going to be checked? So what ends up in the compost?

I know someone is getting some kickback for this one.

Who runs garbage in America? Hmmmm... But don't expect the local media to follow that money. Unless they want to wake up with horse's heads in their beds.

Was just in Boston & Cambridge for a few days and couldn't help but notice the solar-compacting public trash bins throughout the two cities. Wait---I thought Portland was the greenest and most progressive of 'em all!

Never had to wait more than 10 minutes for a train on the T---but hold on--read a missive from a Tri-Met official not too long ago which stated that Portland has the "best public transit on the planet."

Smoke and mirrors indeed.

I used to work with a fantastic pest control guy. His name was Bruce. He took care of bugs downtown and in Saint Johns for several low income bug infested properties I managed. Top notch dude. Saved my properties. Plays the bass. Told me stories about David Lee Roth.
He may be semi retired now but I'm sure he can take care of your rats. Maybe not Stenchy...he's huge!
Northwest Pest Control Inc.
(503) 253-5325
http://www.goodbyebugs.com/index.html

Maybe this is a ploy to keep guys like Bruce working? Job stimulus?

"It's real simple. The stenchful stuff used to be in plastic bags. Now it's loose in a bin with yard debris. Major, major difference."

Actually, it doesn't have to be. We bought some compostable bags and use them in the slop bucket. We knot them up and toss them in the big green can. We were resistant to this whole thing but the bio bags make it pretty easy.

Jason: There are several solar comp

Damn iPhone. As I was saying...

Jason: There are se

several solar compacting trash cans in downtown Portland.

(arg! I'm done.)

I checked the City of Portland web site - yesterday was supposed to be my pickup day for regular garbage.

Put my can out - guess what, no pickup.

I'm planning on buying a house sometime in the next year. Thus far, I've only identified two criteria:

1) Not in Portland
2) Not in Multnomah County

Everything else is negotiable...

As the pdx agenda is escalated, you may not be the only one who will choose to live anywhere else but Portland and Multnomah County.

I still think the planners realize they have created a huge problem, the congestion cannot be fixed, so they are going to young people in schools to perpetuate the plans.
I imagine they think that the way to fix the situation is to put more people into bikes and walking...
and still make room for another million??
Wonder how much of our money they have spent the last year or so promoting their plan with those ubiquitous brochures?
Envision a million more with garbage?