Don't be trashy when setting out your cans

Dear Answer Man: With March coming in like a lion (out like a lamb), we're seeing a lot of windy days, including on trash days. Sometimes I see trash cans placed in the street, and they can get blown by the wind or knocked over by passing vehicles. Even if the trash has already been picked up, this means trash cans are being knocked around in the street, getting in the way of traffic, snow plows (if it snows) and street sweepers. Can you let people know the proper placement and rules regarding their trash and recycling cans? — Concerned Cathy.

Dear Cathy,

Nothing makes a street look trashier than, well, trash. Or trash cans blowing around in traffic. You're right. We should clean up people's practices when it comes to their trash cans.

Here's what city ordinance 4368, 191.09 "Location of Containers" has to say on the issue of trash and trash cans: "All refuse containers shall be stored in or adjacent to the garage, or adjacent to the residence if there is no garage. Each container shall bear the name of the commercial hauler supplying it. During collection periods the containers shall be placed adjacent to but not in the traveled portion of the right of way. No container shall be kept adjacent to the right of way for longer than 24 hours."

Long story short: Keep your trash cans out of the street. Even if you have no sidewalk, that's not an excuse to place trash cans in the street.

And if you have sidewalks, don't put them on the sidewalk either. Place trash cans in that grassy strip between the street and the sidewalk.

That last bit is a big part of the rule, too. Don't leave your trash cans near the street for more than 24 hours. In other words, if trash night is Monday (collection on Tuesday) at your house, roll the cans from near your house or garage to the curb on Monday night. Roll them back to the house or garage on Tuesday evening.

Better yet, if the garbage trucks come by before you go to work (mine do at Casa de Answer Man), then roll them back as you head out Tuesday morning.

All this was updated in the City Code of Ordinances in 2019 in Rochester, so we've been living with these rules at least that long.

Cathy, I hope this helps, and I hope any trashy neighbors read and heed Answer Man.

Send questions to Answer Man at answerman@postbulletin.com.