Piling problems: Lincoln trash service sees spike in loose garbage left on curbs

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Uribe Refuse Services is dealing with trash troubles in Lincoln.

Drivers with the company have noticed some people leaving heaping piles of waste on the curbs.

Recently, Antonio Rodriguez — a driver with the company — said people are not being as courteous when they take their garbage out.

“It’s just a day-to-day basis that we come in, do our job, deal with the mess,” he said.

The crews shared some photos to illustrate how out-of-control these piles can become.

Sometimes, pieces of furniture are left out. Sometimes, it’s loose trash that’s tossed on the curb.

Rodriguez said these situations are more common at certain times.

“Most of the piles are at the beginning of the month or the end of the month, people moving in, moving out,” he said. “It’s not an everyday pile like that.”

He said it can sometimes get out of control, and it creates challenges for the people who work at Uribe.

“They don’t really tie the bags,” Rodriguez said. “As drivers and our helpers come in, we like to get in and get out. So when we start throwing bags that are not tied, trash tends to go places and not in our trucks, so we’ve got to pick up more stuff.”

He understands that people sometimes have extra waste, especially if they’re making a big move.

But it can take the crews longer to clean up when it’s left in unorganized piles.

“Depending on the pile size, it can take anywhere from 10 minutes to 30 minutes,” Rodriguez said.

He has one request for customers across town: “Just try to leave it as nice and neat as possible.”

Rodriguez just wants everyone to do their part in keeping the curbs of Lincoln clean.

“But again, it’s trash,” he said. “It’s the name of the job.”