Quadriplegic Trash Day! Uh oh…

[ejl10]

Hello!

I am a C6 quad, and just purchased a single-family home in suburbia where I am living independently. Yesterday was trash day, and I realized that I have absolutely no idea how on earth I can get trash down the (gently sloped) driveway to the street in bins of some sort. How are other quads doing this? Seems like a near impossibility and a perfect weather day, but as we are approaching winter in Boston right now I realize that it’s only going to be even harder (more impossible, haha) in the coming months.

Thanks!
Emmett

[cementhead]

I am in a power chair and I push the garbage cans with my feet

[ejl10]

I am in a power chair and I push the garbage cans with my feet

Amazing! What kind of cans do you use (link?)? Paved driveway (mine is)? Any slope (mine has a bit)?

I wonder how well this would work in a manual chair in inclement weather. Has anyone tried?

[vjls]

my care taker takes to curb, but all i would need to do is call trash service they would come get for me

[pfcs49]

we try not to need to unload weekly. We wait for good weather until there isn't, then we grin and bear it. Our township supplied large containers with 2 wheels are "pushable" when it falls to me to get out the trash,

[cementhead]

Amazing! What kind of cans do you use (link?)? Paved driveway (mine is)? Any slope (mine has a bit)?

I wonder how well this would work in a manual chair in inclement weather. Has anyone tried?

are use the 65 gallon trash cans that have the metal bar for the garbage man’s truck arm to pick it up. Something similar to this.

https://www.officesupply.com/cleanin...se%20-%20Broad

I want to say I have about 2 feet of pitch from my garage to the street in 110 feet. My driveway is concrete but it would not matter to me with my power chair whether it was pavers or blacktop gravel would probably be a no go.

my feet go underneath the bar arm on the front of the can and I just drive with the can in front of me.

[McDuff]

A lot of trash companies have a handicap exemption, where they come up the drive to get your cans. Give their office a call and see if they have anything in place to help you.

[ejl10]

Wow, these are all really good ideas! Certainly I appreciate the optimal situation and having a caregiver take out the trash for me, but my last one quit back in August and they seem to be impossible to come by around Boston these days. Seems like it will be sometime before I have help again. Thanks for all the awesome ideas everyone! I’ll report back when I find something that works.

[SoCal]

if you can turn enough, tying the handle to the back of your chair with a cord or belt will let you pull the trash can.
i used to put the handle on my knees, which works as well if you go slow but if the can is really full you run the risk of the lid popping up and hitting you in the face while your hands are busy workin your chair.

i recently fixed the base of an old motorized chair which I, now using to transport stuff or tie the trash cans to.

I’ll definitely look into what the trash company can do for me cause it’s still a no fun process

[baldfatdad]

i moved the can to the road. i hung it on a post by a rope, so the bears can't get in it. i take the trash to it.

[SoCal]

i moved the can to the road. i hung it on a post by a rope, so the bears can't get in it. i take the trash to it.

i thought you were joking when I first read this. After reading your post 2 more times I’m about 90% sure you’re serious

[pfcs49]

i thought you were joking when I first read this. After reading your post 2 more times I’m about 90% sure you’re serious

If a bear can't reach it, how the hell does a gimp?

[baldfatdad]

i live in Fl. we have lots of bears. i put a post in. i hang the can just high enough that its off the ground an inch or two, on a ratchet strap. if a bear or dog try to get in it, it swings and they can't lever the lid up. i drive next to it, lift the lid, and chuck the trash in. i use wally world grocery bags. so small enough to handle. i originally put a stick on the lid that would prop it open when i lifted the lid, but found i didn't need it. the county supplies our cans. they a big plastic deals with a hinged lid, 2 wheels and handle. i tried the deal with them coming to the house to pick it up, but we seem to change garbage companies every year and employees even more often so that didn't work.

[wheelin 48]

i agree with mcduff i live in illinois i called the trash company told them i was disabled and they come up the driveway to get mine and im a para so it would be worth checking out i just shove it out the door

[triumph]

Trash is an issue for us - two wheeler couple and husband pushes cans up our long uphill driveway, strapping each can at a time with a bungee cord. Now with the aging process this is not really good on the shoulders.
I called the company once before and they agreed to have their worker come down the driveway to get the bins, but that service only lasted long enough for someone else to be assigned to the truck. Now, a worker will occasionally bring the empty bins down.
One neighbor, an elderly woman, leaves her can at the road and carries individual small garbage bags to fill it during the week.

I have tried to call the company again and the line is constantly busy. I'm going to ask them for a company policy/program that would identify the house that needs cans toted to the road. For instance, a flag of some sort near the mailbox, or different color bins, etc. It seems not only disabled patrons, but elderly persons would need this accommodation. I'm not sure if this comes under ADA.