Trash & Treasures

One year before I moved to Perth, I came in for a visit to check things out. Get the lay of the land, as it were. There were two things that markedly stood out. One was climate shock. Perth was no less than 80 degrees warmer than Columbus, Ohio at that moment. The other was the amount of trash lying around. Big trash. Couches, chairs, tables and other furniture, toys, do-it-yourself project leftovers, home decorations, etc., just dumped on the curb and spilling into the street. Ewwww, this redefined "trashy neighborhood."

It was, in fact, time for the semi-annual "Bulk Kerb Collection" done by the city. Two weeks before this massive waste haul-off, people start putting their unwanted stuff on the curb. Expect broken and useless junk, but not all of it. Some people put items out that they just don't want anymore and can't/won't advertise it for sale or donate it to charity. They'll even 'display' it for easy viewing by curb crawlers. Yep, the 'hood becomes a giant freebie garage sale for those looking to furnish homes, patios, gardens and garages. Act fast because the 'good stuff' doesn't go unclaimed for long. We keep an eye out for planting pot alternatives like small refrigerator drawers, children's toy wheelbarrow or dump trucks which add extra visual appeal to our herb garden. So I have readjusted my viewpoint on this otherwise unsightly disposition. Noncollection times excepted, but if trash appears in front of an apartment building-how will the police know whom to ticket for littering? Ugh to the litterbugs.

Special collections also occur for garden greenwaste, hazardous wastes and a regular weekly collection for recyclables. Oz takes preserving Mother Earth seriously.