New appreciation for garbage can lids
One of the great benefits of living in a modern society is our ability to capitalize on the collective experiences of previous generations. For instance, today’s automobiles are far safer than those produced in 1969. If the people alive in 1969 knew then how much safety we would be enjoying today, they’d surely be envious.
The folks in 1969, though, probably took for granted a simple technology that most of Lakewood’s residents can no longer now enjoy: air-tight garbage can lids.
This garbage can stinks
The new Lakewood 96-gallon garbage cans, distributed as part of the budget saving transition to automated front yard refuse pick-up, have been in service less than two weeks and already get a failing grade.
They stink, or to be more precise, they can’t seal in the stink of garbage. Forget about storing the monster can in an enclosed area, like a garage. The smell will attach itself to your car and co-workers will be able to tell what you ate for dinner the previous three nights.
Let’s hope when the city next replaces these monster garbage cans, they demand lids that are air tight and cannot be lifted in the air by moderate wind gusts.
Here is the lid requirement from the January 2008 bid request for the current cans (see page 18)
Lid: The lid shall be configured to ensure that it will not warp, bend, slump, or distort such an extent that it no longer fits the container properly or becomes otherwise unserviceable. The lid must be crowned in shape and designed to disallow entry of rain when in a closed position. The lid must open from a closed position through a full 270 degree arc. Living hinges and lid counter weights are unacceptable. Lid latches are unacceptable.
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