If the neighbors are indeed nice and friendly, perhaps you could ask them all to use covered bins? Good quality bins are easier anyway, especially the ones that have wheels. I provided a link to one below - this particular one is blue for recycling, but it's the same general idea. Bins like this are the Cadillac of trash cans. They might be easier for the neighbors to use anyway, because they can be wheeled around easily.

Or you could all band together and split the cost of having someone build a respectable looking shed of some sort. I'm picturing a small structure just big enough to hold an average week's worth of everyone's trash. Front door with a latch to keep out the critters.

Anyway, if your neighbors are decent people, they'll probably be glad to help out. They probably feel a bit guilty about it already, but aren't sure what to do. Good luck!

Here is a link that might be useful: Wheeled trash bin

Hi Dignity,
Okay, their pleasant but not to the point where they would all chip in money for a common bin. I think the best I could do would be to talk to them about getting their own personal garbage can. I spoke to the manager just a few minutes ago when he came to p/u the garbage. He thought the wind blew it out onto the street but I was honest and told him I did it out of frustration. All he said was 'Good for you' - I will speak with my neighbors today. Of course, I want to do this in a very nice way. Thank you for listening and giving me some sensible advice.

Good luck!

You've put up with this situation for 4 years?? Isn't it someone else's turn to be the trash depot by now? Do your neighbors just dump their bagged trash at the edge of your yard...or do they haul trash cans sans lids? This situation obviously drives you crazy and it is equally crazy to start your day that way, so pop for the wheelie bins and if you're paying a maintenance fee, save the receipt and deduct it from your tab. Since you like your neighbors, set up your grill in your driveway on trash evening, serve hot dogs and ask your neighbors to be a bit more neighborly regarding their trash deposits in your yard-OR- put everyone's house number on a piece of paper and let the cranky old guy pick the next "trash house" effective June 1 through January 1. Happy summer and Happy New Year...unless he picks your number! Good luck!

Leaf blower.

Lawn lady, Yes, 4 years. I agree it is someone else's turn now but the manager insists it be in front of my house. Yes, they just dump their bagged trash in green bags, recyclable in blue bags. I am the only person that uses a plastic garbage can with a tight fitting lid. I wish there were some way I could get them to stop putting it there. There is no maintenance fee. It's all included in the pad rent. I like your idea of having him choose a number. I wonder if he would go for that.

I have to tell you, it was funny watching him run around and picking up all the garbage that I swept onto the street. I know it's not nice of me but still, it made me laugh. The wind picked up and every time he went to pick up a piece of paper the wind would blow it and he had to chase after it. I told him I was going to do this everytime I see garbage strewn all over my lawn and driveway.

Thanks so much for your reply and suggestion.
Oh yeah, regarding the barbeque. Not such a good idea. My dh isn't as friendly as me and he wouldn't feed the birds let alone the neighbors.

dchall: Leaf Blower?? Haha...Best idea yet!

Hard to imagine that there wouldn't be a single spot to dump trash that wouldn't be more fair to homeowners. Does the manager live there...if so, there's your solution. Four years is way beyond my limit for trash issues- wouldn't have lasted 4 hours...so, bite the bullet and get the covered bins at your expense and consider it a down payment on your sanity.

"Leaf Blower"

On this guys lawn.

"The manager won't do anything about it. He's a cranky old guy who yells instead of communicates so there's no talking to him."

lol

I'd throw it all on the street or on his lawn.

Also, I'd let the neighbors nicely know to put it on the STREET and not on your YARD.

reyesuela...that's what I've been doing, if it gets on my lawn I just sweep it all onto the street.

Any possibility of putting a fence between the street and your yard?

You can buy some very nice looking plastic fence section rather cheaply. Much cheaper that ending up in Hatfields and McCoys feud.