Ashes and Rubbish — Cost and Methods of Collection and Disposal in American Cities — Equipment — Regulations — By-Products
So many cities either collect ashes and rubbish together or the two are collected by the same department or under the same contract that any attempt to give the experience of American municipalities with the collection of each of these wastes would be of little value. The collection of both kinds of waste will, therefore, be discussed with the idea of presenting such information as will give any city, large or small, a basis for determining the feasibility of ash and rubbish collection by municipal employees or by contract, giving the various methods used in the larger American communities, so that the one best adapted to local conditions may be adopted, and the price a city should pay for the service.
Any city contemplating the collection of its refuse or wishing to determine the efficiency and economy of the service it is giving or receiving must consider:
(1) Type of Collection system:
a. Combined collection of garbage, rubbish and ashes.
b. Separate collection of each kind of refuse.
(2) Method of Collection: a. By whom done. b. Districting of city.
Number and location of districts. c. Organization of collecting force. d. Kind of equipment.
Receptacles.
Vehicles.
Incinerators.
Paper presses. e. Location of receptacles. f. Frequency of collection. g. Time of removal.
(3) Enforcement of collection regulations.
(4) Disposal:
Dumping exclusively.
Incineration, wholly or in part.
(5) By-products: