November 26, 2014 7 Comments

What a waste. A valet waste.

My apartment complex started a valet waste service this week and if you don’t know what that is, don’t worry, neither did I. It was explained in the brochure displayed above which features a woman who looks happier to take out the trash than anyone should be. Valet waste service means that instead of carrying your garbage to the dumpster you can set it outside your door between 6pm-8pm in a special black trash can they provide. A magical elf collects the trash after 8pm and you’re responsible for bringing the empty trash can inside by 9am the next morning or else you get fined $25.

My first reaction to this was, “Seriously? We’re now encouraging people to be too lazy to take out their own garbage?” Sure, Sarah Sylvia Cynthia Stout would have loved this service, but I wasn’t sure how I felt about it. It’s a good idea for elderly or disabled people who have limited mobility, but I am an able-bodied, middle-aged, woman and the walk to the dumpster isn’t that far.

When I came home on Monday I saw that my neighbor across the hall had put out her special valet waste trash can, so I figured what the heck, let me try this to see if it actually works. So I set out the garbage can and several hours later when I opened the door the trash inside was gone. Magic! And as guilty as I feel about it, it was really convenient. On cold nights I could see myself using this. There are also times when I leave a tied-up bag of trash in the kitchen overnight because I don’t like going to the dumpster after dark, so this service would help me get rid of that quicker.

I feel torn. It’s definitely convenient, but I feel like a total layabout for not taking my garbage out to the dumpster. It’s like they’re enabling me to be lazier than I already am. It definitely goes against the “what you can, when you can” philosophy that my blogger friends Roni and Carla talk about. This is more like what you can’t when you can. I’ll probably end up striking a balance by taking out the garbage when the weather is ok and the sun is out, but using the valet service when it’s nasty out or after dark.

Has anyone else heard of valet waste service or use it? What do you think?

Later: First class experience
Earlier: Sorry, I’m not addicted to “Serial.” I wish I were though.
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Comments

Suzanne L. says
November 29, 2014 at 3:36 pm
We have that valet service at my apt. complex in California and are forced to pay $30 per month for it whether we use it or not. To me it’s a ripoff– I can easily carry my trash to the dumpster. I could see offering it as an option, but to make it mandatory is practically extortion. Be glad they don’t charge you for it (yet).
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Cheryl says
November 30, 2014 at 12:23 pm
If you’re not being charged for it I say use it! You can use the time you save to do other things, garbage-free things. Maybe next they’ll include a housecleaning valet. Now THAT would be awesome.
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Claire says
December 1, 2014 at 12:59 pm
We had that at the last apartment complex we lived in. We hated it, but understood because it didn’t seem to matter how often the apartment complex nagged about not leaving bags of trash outside the apartment doors as it attracts insects and animals, people invariably did just that. This gives people no excuse and it’s enforceable, so even though I didn’t like it, I understood where they were coming from.
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Katie says
December 2, 2014 at 4:01 am
People at my former apartment complex would set trash bags on the hood of their car and drive it to the dumpster. Now THAT is lazy!! I think the service is a good idea though. It’s safer than taking it out yourself, and someone is geting paid to do it. That doesn’t mean you have to rely on it every time though. ‘Striking a balance’ sounds like a perfect, rational solution.
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JenFul says
December 2, 2014 at 2:34 pm
@Claire – That’s a good point. I have seen my neighbors leave trash bags outside, sometimes overnight, so I can see why giving everyone an official trash can might help with that problem.
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Syslak says
May 5, 2015 at 9:09 pm
Just moved into a new apartment and saw the Waste Valet bin. Good thing I’m a regular reader and remembered you writing about this! I don’t know how to tell my husband how I know about this. “Ya, I was reading a blog my someone I don’t know who was talking about her trash can…” He’ll never understand. 🙂 Anyhow, I’m sure you’ll be pleased to know that your blog was useful and memorable!
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JimV says
March 7, 2016 at 11:47 pm
We have this mandatory service as well. It sucks. Our community is looking really bad with people leaving trash outside, all hours of the day and night. I can only assume that the apartment management is getting some kind of kickback from Valet Waste.
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