Chesapeake In The Know

We often say that you’re to place your trash bins and bulk waste piles “at the curb” for collection but in a City full of ditch-lined streets, that can be somewhat of a misnomer. For those without an obvious space to place your trash, there are a few things about collection that you can keep in mind to find the perfect spot.

Place your bins and piles as close to the street as possible without blocking the flow of vehicular traffic, pedestrian traffic, or stormwater. This means your trash shouldn’t block a sidewalk or sit in a ditch. It also shouldn’t go so far into the road that it blocks a lane of traffic.

Look up.  Are there overhead wires where you place your trash? That could make it challenging and potentially dangerous for some of our trucks to pick up your items. Whenever possible, move your piles and bins to a place free from wires.

Look around. Are there cars, mailboxes, or other items within three feet of your piles or bins? The trucks need space to grab your trash and any nearby objects can make the process much harder so make sure there's at least three feet of space around each bin.

All that being said, we understand that some areas are just plain tricky when it comes to finding space for your trash on collection day. Our truck operators will do everything they can to collect your trash safely and efficiently. If you have concerns, please call the Customer Contact Center at 382-2489.