What happens to our garbage when the dump trucks take it to wherever they take it?

[Mike 03]

I presume they dump it at a local landfill.

For years my Dad has urged me to shred things like credit card bills, old checkbooks, bank statements, and although I respect his fastidiousness, I am not that cautious, but it suddenly occured to me that my notion of what happens to my trash might be totally out of date.

The fact is, I have NO CLUE what happens to my trash once it goes into the dump truck that comes once a week to take it. It is mingled with tons of other peoples' trash, but naturally, my trash includes many documents, boxes, mailing labels, etc... with my name and info on it, and I'm not all that judicious about shreding and tearing stuff up.

Does anybody know:

1. Do people go through our trash after it is dumped at a landfill?
2. Do you, as a rule, shred all of your personal information before putting it a trash bin?
3. Do you know anything interesting about what happens to our trash that most of us may not know?

[Tangerine LaBamba]

1. Very simple -

It turns into a website called freerepublic.com.

[Mike 03]

5. LOL LOL LOL !!!!!!!!

[amyrose2712]

11. ZING!

[skygazer]

2. 1. Yes, many people do

I know this because I've known people who do it. You know the saying, "one man's trash is another man's treasure." Well, I've known people who took their own trash to the landfill and while there, pawed through other stuff to find things of what they consider value.

It's surprising how many people throw books away, for instance. Also usable furniture.


2. Yes, I do shred everything. The shredder was not very expensive and I feel much better knowing that bank account and credit card numbers aren't just getting tossed out there (though anyone who stole my identity would probably contact me within a short time to beg me to take it back!).


3. No. :P

[Mike 03]

6. I know what you mean about books. It kills me when people throw books away.

As a book collector, I love to gather up my books and give them to the library or anyone who cares about books.

[Blue Diadem]

3. I've seen papers blowing from one landfill.

In answer to your questions:

1. I really have no idea. I know they used to but it's been years since I've been to one.

2. We shred anything with our personal info. Before shredders I used to tear it up. It was a great stress reducer.

3. no

[Mike 03]

7. Who can blame them???

I just feel a bit self conscious having people go through my trash, but on the other hand, if there's anything there that can help them, I'm happy about that.

It's just sad that it has come to this.

And I should be more aware about how I dispose of certain documents, I guess. Although, I've never had any issues related to identity or stolen documents. (So far, that is.)

[Blue Diadem]

10. I wonder now if more people just go through curbside

instead of going to the landfill. Around here we have an annual unlimited cleanup where anything can be put out. Caravans of vehicles go by with people taking anything and everything. I've been here 20 yrs and was pretty surprised that first year but then I thought well, why not. If someone can use the stuff no matter if I think it's trash, well, all the more power to them.

I've even done some dumpster diving myself. Well, not exactly getting into the dumpster but there were 4 wooden chairs left at a dumpster. I loaded them up, refinished them and recovered the seats and gave them to my son. He used them until he got married and still has them as extra seating.

I really do advise shredding anything personal. My neighbor used to clean out her car and leave it sitting in front of her garage. I'd have to clean it up after it blew over here...anything from receipts to paid bills to subscription renewals etc. (no we don't talk, so I just pitched them) Anyway,that's part of what's always bothered me when we drive by one particular landfill where the papers just blow all over. Most of the garbage gets buried at landfills but who knows how far those papers fly.

[cabbage08]

4. Depending on your location...

I know some trash ends up at trash to energy plants. They use the trash instead of oil/coal/gas.

[surrealAmerican]

8. Our paper, including junk mail, is supposed to be recycled.

I don't know how much of it actually gets recycled, or how it gets sorted though.

[wickerwoman]

9. We heard because of budget cutbacks

our county isn't actually taking the recycling to the recycling center. Most of it ends up in the regular trash anyway. I found this out when our trash guy knocked over our regular trash and left it all over our lawn and then the recycling guy came by and threw it all in his truck. He didn't know when they were going to have the budget to expand the recycling facility but he said for now almost all trash ends up together whether you separate it or not. I'd bet this is going on in a lot of other counties too (we aren't even that cash strapped).

[NV Whino]

12. Depends on your particular landfill

In ours, there is no scavenging allowed.

Trucks come and dump it in a plastic lined area that has had drains installed. Bulldozers push dirt over it and layer the trash and dirt. Our landfill is coming up to 90% filled. The fill date has been pushed back by probably a decade because of our recycling programs.

It's a pretty nifty operation. If you live near a landfill, ask for a tour sometime.