Picking up other people’s garbage and removing it is a thankless job. However, it’s a job that our most basic comfort depends on, so showing appreciation for this service, especially during the holidays, is a nice thing to do. Of course, you might think that garbage men make good money, so there’s no reason to give them tips, especially as you already pay for their services one way or another.

However, if you think that the person who picks up your trash every morning deserves a token of appreciation at the end of the year, here are some ideas for ways to thank your garbage man during the holidays.

Give Him a Gift Card

If, for whatever reason, you don’t want to give him a tip, you can give him a gift card. Gift cards offer one of the alternative ways to thank your garbage man during the holidays. They allow you to show your consideration for someone who does you a service, an indispensable one in this case. A gift card shows that you care by allowing the recipient to use it as they see fit. Insert it in a Christmas card together with your best wishes and it will surely be well received.

Small Gifts

To some people, offering gifts to service providers such as the garbage man, mail man, or hairdresser may seem inappropriate. However, if you feel like rewarding your garbage man for the service he provides, you can offer him a small gift.

In small communities especially, where you get to know your garbage man, and he’s more than just a face on a truck, you can show your appreciation by giving him a bottle of wine or some homemade food. Adding a card with a personal message will make an even greater good will gesture.

Looking for Help to Get Rid of Unwanted Junk?

TalkLocal can connect you with the closest waste management service in your area in no time, at no charge.

Ratty, busted, dirty furniture is typically a must-go from your house. However, you may not feel comfortable passing old, beat up furniture to the college student down the street or the new renters you just met. There are some places you can get rid of broken furniture.

1. Take it to the Curb

In many cities, it’s easy to get rid of broken furniture. All you have to do is take out all of your broken furniture and place it on your curb on trash day. Like getting rid of old television sets, garbage trucks often will pick up old or broken furniture that you won’t use and take it straight to the garbage dump.

Before going this route, however, make sure to check trash regulations in your community. Some require that you give them special notice, and others might even charge a small fee. Whatever you do, be careful when moving broken furniture, though, as the broken edges can potentially cause scratches and wounds when you move them. To prevent this, secure them with foam and masking tape.

2. Call the Salvation Army

Someone who cannot afford to buy furniture may be willing to fix up your broken furniture. You can call the Salvation Army and schedule for them to pick up your old furniture at a time when you are home, so that you can get rid of broken furniture, and someone else can use it.

3. Place an Ad in the Newspaper

Someone may be willing to get your furniture for free – even if it’s broken. There are people who cannot afford to buy new furniture but are willing to fix up your broken furniture. Putting an ad in the paper may be a good bet for you. You may be able to find someone willing to recycle your furniture. This is a great way of removing your own garbage. Remember, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure!

4. Call Relatives

If the broken furniture you are trying to get rid of is part of your family’s heritage, some relatives might be interested in getting it. Call them and see if they are willing to fix it up and recycle it. Depending on how badly broken it is, they might be willing to take it from you.

Need Professional Help?

Contact TalkLocal today and let us help you get rid of broken furniture! We can help you find garbage removal professionals near you!

Numerous homeowners buy more food than they actually manage to consume. Furthermore, it seems that no less than 50% of all the edible products commercialized in the U.S. are discarded every single year, as a result of surplus and spoilage. In this context, home composting represents the best alternative at hand, enabling people to recycle their food waste ideally and embrace a greener lifestyle.

Some family members who are interested in composting food products might be wondering: what do I need to start recycling food scraps? What kind of food waste is recyclable? How could I complete this task fast and effortlessly? Read on to learn how to compost food scraps in a few simple steps.

1) Check out your city’s regulations on municipal solid waste (MSW)

Composting food products is a great strategy, allowing homeowners to recycle food they no longer plan to eat in an optimal manner. Believe it or not, some cities do not encourage this eco-friendly practice, because inadequate food waste storage methods could attract a wide range of pests (rodents, scavengers or opossums). Moreover, some cities embrace a different type of municipal solid waste plan and implement special receptacles for food scrap disposal. So first of all, find out if you’re allowed to start composting food products in your own backyard.

2) Separate compostable food for non-compostable scraps

You should know that there are two categories of food waste: compostable elements (fruits, veggies, coffee and tea grounds, crushed egg shells, old pastry products, grains and spices, corn cobs) and non-compostable items, which usually breakdown at a slow pace and draw a large number of rodents (meat and dairy products and basically any type of grease).

3) Use a 5 gallon food compost bucket

Now all you need to do is to purchase a 5 gallon bucket to store the food scraps you’ve collected. Here’s an extra tip: once you put the food waste in it, line its lid with paper to stop bad odors from spreading in your backyard and to keep those annoying flies at a distance.

Truth be told, composting food products is easy, green and convenient. Here’s another extra tip: If you want to accelerate the process, simply add a layer of recently made compost on top of your food scraps stored in the 5-gallon bucket.  This way, the compostable food waste will breakdown faster.

Need Garbage Removal?

Follow these simple steps to start composting your leftovers in the comfort of your own home. This simple DIY project can be completed by any homeowner with minimal effort. When in doubt, it is recommended to discuss your options with garbage removal specialists. Find the best ones by relying on TalkLocal, your primary source of accurate information. Start composting food waste today to live a cleaner, greener life.