Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Salt Lakers' trash collection days are set to change in February.
Urban Living
Posted By Babs De Lay on January 15, 2025, 4:00 AM
I get so programmed with everyday schedules that when something major changes, my world gets a bit shook. I just learned that pickup for curbside collections of garbage, recycling and compost cans will now change for me and about 80% of my fellow Salt Lakers as of Feb. 3.
The change in collection schedule, states slc.gov, "will allow City staff to better adapt and respond to disruptions due to weather, holidays and other events during the week." Fine. Now I have to reprogram my brain to not miss the new pickup day, which can take several weeks for me to not go running out in my PJ's in a morning snow to catch the truck whizzing by my house.
Indigenous peoples here didn't have much garbage or waste to deal with, as they were experts in re- and up-cycling what they hunted and foraged for. When the pioneers landed in the valley, they simply burned their waste or fed it to their pigs, cows and chickens.
By the late 1800s, the garbage situation was getting out of control as wealthier citizens from the east side would have their garbage hauled to dump on west side neighborhoods.
In September of 1892, SLC's government established two garbage districts—one from 900 South to 800 North, east to the "Reservation Line" and west to 1000 West; the second district covered the rest of the City limits. SLC hired independent, licensed "scavengers" to haul the refuse and manure in the first district; and residents in the second district had to hire their own haulers.
In 1902, the city created its first incinerator, then opted in 1907 to lease its first landfill; but people—just like today—continued to dump refuse on the west side of the valley.
In 1915, the City got rid of independent scavengers and created a garbage service with horse-drawn wagon service to haul one's trash from their curb to the landfill.
In 1921, the Streets Department took over the garbage service and upgraded to Pierce-Arrow motor trucks instead of wagons. Garbage trucks similar to (but smaller than) what you see today didn't come out until the 1940s.
Know that with the new changes in pickup days, this likely won't affect you if you live in an apartment building, as multi-family housing tends to include private dumpsters or operate in conjunction with a business. Those have to be hired out from private pickup companies to dump every week. There may also be a new day for your glass recycling, but Momentum Recycling hasn't released any changes yet.
The only people in SLC not affected are those who traditionally get their garbage removed on Thursdays. Their pickup day will remain on Thursday.
For more information go to slc.gov. And if you have a load to haul to the dump (located at 6030 W. California Ave), please note that they have specific hours of operation and different pricing depending on the type of material you wish to dispose.
About The Author
Babs De Lay
A full-time broker/owner of Urban Utah Homes and Estates, Babs De Lay serves on the Salt Lake City Historic Landmark Commission. A writer and golfer, you'll find them working as a staff guardian at the Temple at Burning Man each year.
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