Will there be such a thing as “trash” in 2050?
I have a friend who is super passionate about trash. Actually, more correctly stated, I have a friend who is passionate about diversion.
“Unless you or someone you love is in diapers, you should not have trash.” He tells me. “Inconceivable!” I think to myself as I see my properties trash enclosures on Monday morning, heaped in waste.
As property managers, we are lucky when the residents properly sort the trash into the recycling and trash dumpsters and we do not have contamination. When we are lucky, they actually bag their trash (it gets really nasty really fast when they don’t) and if we are extra fortunate, they put the trash in the trash containers and don’t just drop it near the trash enclosure or trash room.
Yet as I stare at the mountains of trash heaped in my dumpsters, like something out of the Pixar move “WALL-E” I know my friend is right. It’s just hard to think differently about trash on a residential property.
Trash is a management challenge. I often tell people that multifamily is the step child of commercial real estate and residential (AKA: houses). We use utilities very differently than either category. Trash is a prime example. In commercial, the recycling ratio is much higher as there is typically a ton less food waste and very rarely diapers and material wastes (like sofas and clothing). Additionally, separation of recycling v. waste occurs at the workspace with room for larger containers in a more remote location. In houses, there is space for the occupant to have multiple containers for wastes (trash, recycling, compost) outside of (but in close proximity to) the home. However most of our communities have loads of food waste, and lack space for sorting. Yet our large containers, designed for the mass amount of waste and materials are not conveniently located for all residents. Even if your community is designed for all three container types in the trash rooms and chutes, there is still a matter of space for sorting within the apartments themselves. Most multi-unit dwellings were not designed to have a sorting area. How do we ask people to make room for trash staging when most of these homes were not designed with any space for trash?
As our populations continue to increase the value of land for development will push most waste facilities further from urban locations. Costs of fuel will increase the cost of trash as our waste needs to be delivered further out. To combat these costs, I suspect that cities will increase trash fees further and implement programs that require residents to recycle, and compost. The future of trash is diversion, even for multifamily. States like California already require a diversion rate of 50 percent (that means that on your property only 50 percent of what is picked up is trash and 50 percent has to be uncontaminated recycling material or compost.) By 2020, California will require these diversion ratios to be 25 percent waste and 75 percent recyclable/compostable material. The legislation allows for penalties for property owners who do not comply with the law. Cities like Austin are pushing to a diversion rate of 95 percent by 2040 (that means only 5 percent of your waste is trash and the rest is recycling or compost.) Portland has a goal of 9 percent diversion by 2030 and offers tips and tools for getting property owners to these lofty goals. I could go on. If you do a quick internet search you will see that the majority of the States in the United States have some sort of recycling and/or recycling ordinance currently. If you think about it, the future is already here!
So my friend (who is passionate about waste diversion) is right, unless we or the ones we love are in diapers, there should not really be much trash. In know what you are thinking, “Inconceivable!” You are asking yourself, “How do we get to such a low volume of trash?” Most would imagine that the solution to the great trash caper is some sort of technology. A lovable robot that sorts material and compacts trash for us. Perhaps a magical trash can that sorts whatever you drop into it (like coin counters). Perhaps each site will be equipped with rockets designed to blast their trash into the sun. As much as I would love all those solutions, I believe that the future of trash management actually has nothing to do with technologies (which ultimately become really gross e-waste), but with human beings. The future of trash management involves customized programs that are community specific and lead by members of that community. I am pointing to the residents themselves. This type of grass roots trash experience is where there is real potential for not only diversion but a greater sense of community. Yes, what I am proposing may sound crazy, (crazier than trash robots) and a lot of work upfront. A localized, resident customized trash program will not happen without support and communication of the site team, who will ultimately have to be emotionally prepared for trash enthusiast; however once the community trash program is up and running, the benefits to the community can be significant. Lower trash costs, cleaner enclosures (less impact on maintenance), and fewer complaints about trash will be the reward for the upfront efforts. So, in a world where we will have doors that unlock themselves when their occupant approaches and groceries that are delivered by drones, we will spend more time collaborating, and working on concert with the residents who live near us to economize our waste, working together to make the world a better place. That is the future of trash.
76 Responses to Will there be such a thing as “trash” in 2050?
Leave a Reply
Historical perspective
- March 2024
- February 2023
- July 2022
- March 2022
- June 2021
- February 2021
- August 2020
- February 2020
- July 2019
- April 2019
- June 2018
- April 2018
- October 2017
- May 2017
- November 2016
- June 2016
- November 2015
- June 2015
- September 2014
- June 2014
- April 2014
- December 2013
- July 2013
- December 2012
- July 2012
- October 2011
Just want to say your article is as surprising. The clearness to
your publish is simply nice and that i could
think you’re a professional in this subject.
Well with your permission let me to grab your feed
to stay up to date with impending post. Thanks 1,000,000 and please keep up the gratifying work.
you are in reality a excellent webmaster. The web site loading speed is incredible.
It seems that you are doing any unique trick.
In addition, The contents are masterwork. you’ve performed a wonderful process in this topic!
Right away I am going to do my breakfast, later than having my
breakfast coming yet again to read additional news.
Wonderful site. Lots of helpful info here.
I’m sending it to a few buddies ans additionally sharing in delicious.
And certainly, thanks to your sweat!
Incredible! This blog looks just like my old one!
It’s on a totally different subject but it has pretty much
the same page layout and design. Wonderful choice
of colors!
Do you mind if I quote a couple of your posts as long as I
provide credit and sources back to your website?
My website is in the exact same area of interest as yours and my visitors would really benefit from some
of the information you provide here. Please let me know if
this alright with you. Thanks!
Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is an extremely well written article.
I’ll make sure to bookmark it and come back to read more of
your useful info. Thanks for the post. I’ll certainly comeback.
I am curious to find out what blog system you have been utilizing?
I’m having some minor security issues with my latest blog and I’d like to
find something more risk-free. Do you have any suggestions?
I all the time used to study piece of writing in news papers but now as I am a user of net so
from now I am using net for content, thanks to web.
Hi there, everything is going well here and ofcourse every one is sharing data, that’s genuinely excellent, keep up writing.
This is very interesting, You’re a very skilled blogger.
I’ve joined your rss feed and look forward to seeking more of your great post.
Also, I’ve shared your web site in my social networks!
I’ll right away clutch your rss as I can not
find your email subscription hyperlink or newsletter service.
Do you have any? Kindly permit me understand in order that I
could subscribe. Thanks.
I every time spent my half an hour to read this website’s posts
all the time along with a cup of coffee.
Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your blog and in accession capital to assert that I
get in fact enjoyed account your blog posts. Any way I will be
subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you access consistently rapidly.
I like what you guys are usually up too. Such clever work and
exposure! Keep up the very good works guys I’ve included
you guys to my personal blogroll.
This piece of writing is really a pleasant one it helps new the web users, who are wishing in favor of
blogging.
Good way of telling, and fastidious post to obtain facts about
my presentation focus, which i am going to deliver in college.
Fastidious answer back in return of this matter with
genuine arguments and telling everything on the topic of that.
I always emailed this blog post page to all my contacts, as if like to read it next my friends will too.
I don’t know whether it’s just me or if perhaps everybody else experiencing issues with your website.
It appears as if some of the text on your content are running off
the screen. Can somebody else please provide feedback and let me know if
this is happening to them too? This might be a problem with my internet browser because I’ve had this happen before.
Thanks
Hmm is anyone else experiencing problems with the pictures on this blog loading?
I’m trying to find out if its a problem on my end or if it’s the blog.
Any feed-back would be greatly appreciated.
Hello! Quick question that’s completely off topic.
Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly? My blog looks weird when viewing from my iphone4.
I’m trying to find a theme or plugin that might
be able to fix this problem. If you have any recommendations, please share.
Many thanks!
For newest news you have to pay a visit internet and on the
web I found this web site as a best site for newest updates.
Excellent post. Keep posting such kind of info on your site.
Im really impressed by it.
Hey there, You’ve done an excellent job. I will certainly digg it and in my opinion recommend to
my friends. I’m confident they’ll be benefited from this website.
I am really loving the theme/design of your site.
Do you ever run into any web browser compatibility problems?
A small number of my blog visitors have complained about my
website not operating correctly in Explorer but looks great
in Opera. Do you have any tips to help fix this issue?
최신 알리익스프레스 프로모션 코드, 쿠폰, 세일 정보 등을
제공합니다. 2025년 8월 초이스 데이, 썸머 바캉스, 취향대전, 알급날 등 알리익스프레스 프로모션
전국 마사지샵 채용 정보와 구직자를 연결하는 마사지 구인구직 플랫폼입니다.
마사지구인부터 마사지알바, 스웨디시구인까지,
신뢰할 수 있는 최신 채용 정보를 제공
강남쩜오는 고급 룸살롱 문화의 한 갈래로, 강남에서 2000년대 초반에 등장한 하이엔드 유흥 업소를 지칭합니다.
일반적인 강남 가라오케나 퍼블릭 술집과 달리
It is the best time to make some plans for the future and it’s time to be happy.
I’ve read this post and if I could I want to suggest you few
interesting things or tips. Maybe you can write next articles referring to this article.
I want to read more things about it!
Heya i am for the first time here. I came across this board and I find It really useful & it helped me
out much. I hope to give something back and help others like you helped me.
Hey there! Do you know if they make any plugins to help
with SEO? I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very
good results. If you know of any please share. Many thanks!
Hello there! This blog post could not be written any better!
Reading through this post reminds me of my previous roommate!
He continually kept talking about this. I will forward this information to him.
Fairly certain he will have a very good read.
Thank you for sharing!
Hi, for all time i used to check website posts here in the early hours in the
daylight, as i like to find out more and more.
Everything is very open with a very clear clarification of the issues.
It was definitely informative. Your website is very useful.
Thanks for sharing!
Hi there, You have done a fantastic job. I will definitely digg it and personally suggest to my friends.
I’m confident they will be benefited from this website.
Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you
penning this write-up plus the rest of the website
is also very good.
whoah this weblog is magnificent i really like reading your articles.
Stay up the good work! You know, many people are hunting around for this information, you could help them greatly.
Hello there! This is kind of off topic but I need some advice from an established
blog. Is it hard to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal
but I can figure things out pretty fast. I’m thinking about setting up my own but I’m not sure where to begin. Do you have any points
or suggestions? Thank you
I blog frequently and I seriously appreciate your content.
The article has truly peaked my interest. I am going to book mark
your blog and keep checking for new details about once a week.
I opted in for your Feed as well.
Wonderful goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff
previous to and you are just too excellent. I actually
like what you have acquired here, certainly like what you’re stating and the
way in which you say it. You make it enjoyable and you still care for
to keep it smart. I cant wait to read far more from you.
This is actually a great site.
When I initially commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each time a comment
is added I get four e-mails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove me from that service?
Cheers!
You’re so awesome! I don’t suppose I’ve read through something
like that before. So good to discover someone with genuine thoughts on this
issue. Seriously.. thank you for starting this up. This site is one thing that is required on the
internet, someone with some originality!
I was able to find good info from your content.
I am genuinely thankful to the owner of this web site who has
shared this great post at here.
Why users still make use of to read news papers when in this technological world all is available on net?
I like the helpful information you provide in your articles.
I’ll bookmark your blog and check again here regularly.
I’m quite certain I will learn many new stuff right here!
Best of luck for the next!
Hurrah, that’s what I was looking for, what a data!
present here at this weblog, thanks admin of this web page.
Wonderful blog! I found it while searching on Yahoo News.
Do you have any tips on how to get listed in Yahoo News?
I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there!
Many thanks
Very rapidly this site will be famous among all blog users,
due to it’s good articles
I know this site offers quality based articles and other material,
is there any other site which gives these things in quality?
Great work! That is the type of info that should be shared around the net.
Disgrace on Google for not positioning this post upper! Come
on over and discuss with my website . Thank you =)
I have read some excellent stuff here. Definitely value bookmarking for revisiting.
I wonder how much effort you set to create one
of these magnificent informative website.
I could not resist commenting. Very well written!
It’s not my first time to pay a visit this site, i am browsing this web site dailly and
take good data from here everyday.
What’s up i am kavin, its my first occasion to commenting anywhere, when i
read this piece of writing i thought i could also create comment
due to this good post.
Excellent goods from you, man. I have have in mind
your stuff previous to and you are just too great.
I really like what you have obtained here, really like what you are saying and the
way wherein you assert it. You’re making it enjoyable and you still take care of to keep it smart.
I can not wait to learn much more from you. This is actually a
wonderful web site.
I don’t even know the way I stopped up right here, but
I assumed this post was great. I don’t understand
who you are however certainly you are going to a well-known blogger in case you are not already.
Cheers!
In fact no matter if someone doesn’t know
after that its up to other users that they will assist,
so here it takes place.
This post is really a good one it assists new net viewers, who
are wishing in favor of blogging.
We stumbled over here coming from a different web address and thought I might check things out.
I like what I see so i am just following you. Look forward to looking into your web page repeatedly.
Howdy! Would you mind if I share your blog with my facebook group?
There’s a lot of people that I think would really appreciate your content.
Please let me know. Cheers
Howdy are using WordPress for your blog platform?
I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying to get started
and create my own. Do you need any html coding knowledge to make your own blog?
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Now I am going away to do my breakfast, later than having my breakfast coming
over again to read other news.
I’ve been browsing on-line greater than three hours lately, yet I by no means discovered any interesting article like yours.
It is beautiful worth enough for me. In my opinion, if all web owners
and bloggers made good content as you probably did, the internet will be a lot
more helpful than ever before.
Hello there, just became alert to your blog through
Google, and found that it is truly informative. I’m going to watch out for brussels.
I’ll be grateful if you continue this in future. Numerous people will
be benefited from your writing. Cheers!
An impressive share! I have just forwarded this onto a coworker who has been conducting
a little homework on this. And he in fact ordered me lunch due to
the fact that I discovered it for him… lol. So let me reword this….
Thank YOU for the meal!! But yeah, thanx for spending some time to discuss
this subject here on your site.
Appreciating the time and effort you put into your blog and in depth information you provide.
It’s awesome to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same out of date rehashed information. Great
read! I’ve saved your site and I’m including your RSS feeds to my Google account.
Usually I do not learn article on blogs, but I would like to say that this write-up very forced me
to take a look at and do so! Your writing taste has been amazed me.
Thank you, quite nice article.
What’s Taking place i am new to this, I stumbled upon this I have discovered
It absolutely useful and it has aided me out loads.
I’m hoping to contribute & aid different users like its helped me.
Good job.
Hi there, all the time i used to check blog posts here early in the daylight, as i like
to find out more and more.
Awesome post.
I’m not sure why but this website is loading very slow for me.
Is anyone else having this issue or is it a problem
on my end? I’ll check back later on and see if the problem still exists.
강남룸싸롱은 품격 있는 서비스를 합리적인 가격대에
제공하여 누구나 부담 없이 럭셔리한 밤을 즐길 수 있도록 합니다.
You are so cool! I don’t think I have read through anything like that before.
So wonderful to discover another person with original thoughts on this topic.
Seriously.. many thanks for starting this up. This website is
something that is needed on the web, someone with some originality!
대전출장마사지, 24시간 연중무휴! 대전 전 지역 어디든 호텔·자택 방문,
전문 여성 테라피스트의 맞춤 힐링 마사지로 피로 싹 풀기!
Usually I don’t learn article on blogs, however I would like to say that this write-up very forced me to check out and do so!
Your writing style has been amazed me. Thank you, quite great article.