Louise's Utopia: A Smelly Problem Of Rural Life That Must Be Discarded

Living here in the rural world of South Dakota has its challenges. Even though my life is only sunshine and roses, some people have to experience the rain. That someone is my husband. When we moved to this lovely area, we quickly discovered the trash service stunk no matter how we approached it. We initially had a brilliant idea that most people might have: We called the local trash company to enlist their services. They promptly told us we would need a trash can or we could rent a dumpster. (I was so insulted at her innuendo that I didn't already own a dumpster. As if!) Most people in America own dumpsters! Since I am being sarcastic and did not own a can, we purchased the dumpster pictured above from a great place for a not-so-bad price, about one thousand bucks. It's not bad; it’s well-made and has great color. At first, it was nice and exciting owning our very own dumpster. We all paraded around it, admiring how lovely it was and the idea that we now owned a dumpster. We put stickers on it, and some raccoons came and crawled on it, just like in the city. It smelled just like all cans if you opened the lid- rancid. It was necessary to use multiple bungee cords to make sure the wind did not catch the lid. Needless to say, the bungee cords break often in the wind and the lids flap around anyway. Otherwise, there went the trash! Who would have guessed that a South Dakota wind could blow all that debris to Minnesota so quickly?! Since we now owned the dumpster, we called the local trash collectors back! They were fun to work with, to say the least. Their customer service was reminiscent of the last internet provider we used in the city. Lacking. It was obvious they held the notion that they did not want to provide any services for us, nor did they welcome us to their cozy, full-up little town. I felt overly welcomed and, like any good friendship, took note. After much work getting an account and being interrogated for information, they one day showed up to collect the trash. That one day and all the subsequent days were the wrong days. To add to the lack of schedule, when they did show up, they sped down the road, dumping trash up and down the driveway. I'd find little pieces of beer bottle glass and other interesting trash. It was strangely exciting. Each time I went, I'd be thinking of the possibilities of what I might encounter in my yard and driveway next! I didn't mind the glass as much as the puddle of oil that oozed from the truck when they stopped in the yard. No spotless green trash trucks that I was used to in the city, but rather extremely rusted and broken down trucks. One day, on a one (off scheduled visit,) they busted the wheel off our new dumpster, which was cool. The dumpster now stood sideways with all the extra trash they left for me to pick up and place back in the dumpster for the next visit, whenever that would be. I was so happy to repurchase and replace the new wheel. Just the nature of trash collecting bins get destroyed, and yards get polluted.

Time passed, and annoyance levels heightened. Naturally, our relationship with that company went to the dump and ended.

Then, we had to explore new ideas of ridding our trash. Way back then, my husband began the current situation we use: he takes our trash to the dump. This is where it gets even more smelly. He collects the waste we make at home and delivers it to the landfill using our trailer. Sometimes, the trash is filled with fly maggots that reek so much one could vomit. Creatures like mice, rats, and other fun things get into the can looking for a meal. Once at the dump, it is messy and hard to drive around. It is a landfill. It also fills you with guilt to visit. The reality of the amount of trash that material America throws into the dump makes you never want to consumerize again. The good thing about discarding trash is the people at the landfill are courteous and helpful. There is one other thing he loves: the cost. He pays about twenty dollars every three months, which is a bargain! He loves that! Wow! Twenty bucks that is eighty dollars annually, for trash.

Another problem with the trash situation is the recycling programs for rural homes. The town we live near has a recycling program for the residents but not for rural homes. Why this is the situation, we don’t know, but it is. We have to take our loads of recyclables to a neighboring city. We've had even more than usual recycles because we were drinking bottled water here for a time. Now that we have found a solution to drinking water, we hope our plastic accumulation will lessen.

This is one of the many situations to address before a person moves to the country. Sadly, one finds this out through experience, or some sap like me writes an informative, pithy blog. It is not a reason to or not to move to a rural property. It is, however, something that should be considered. There is something nice about taking the can out and leaving it on the street in the city. Along comes those guys that take it away, and one never sees or thinks of it again. That is not the case in some rural properties. Trash should be addressed before moving to your oasis in the country!

Louise's Utopia: A Smelly Problem Of Rural Life That Must Be Discarded