Earlier this year, my county was forced to renegotiate its trash service. Prior to this, Manatee County trash service was an unbelievable deal. Low cost and you could put damn near anything at the curb to be taken away. Well, the county – particularly the previous board – kept that deal far too long and didn’t negotiate until they had no further extensions. So, instead of gradual changes, the county residents went to once-a-week pickup and only what could fit into the new county-provided trash cans. Oh, and each house only got one, unless the residents were willing to pay for a second. I think the county negotiators were more trying to hold down the cost as opposed to services. Not a great trade-off, but an understandable one, given the issues.

Needless to say, this did not go over well. Ward Manor can usually hold to the one can a week, but in the eight weeks or so that we’ve been doing this, there have been some weeks where we’ve had to “keep stuff out” for the next week. Generally, that’s cardboard, but it tends to accumulate. Also, we’re forced to keep stinky trash longer. And because of the HOA, we must keep our cans inside.

Fortunately, there are some folks with a mercenary spirit who see a problem as an opportunity. A couple of weeks ago, I started getting FB ads for a local service that will essentially add a trash pickup once a week for about $20. Um, okay. I’ll be more than happy to give your service a try. At least for a few months.

This is why I like free markets. It tends to draw people who see a need, have the ability to fill it, and brings them to others who can pay for it. If it’s successful, it should draw more competitors that will either decrease the price or increase the service.