Trash Talk
When it comes to trash disposal, Carmel and Biarritz couldn't be more different.
In Carmel, the trash system is all about blending in. The town's trash bins are designed to be discreet and unobtrusive. They stand neatly tucked away in designated trash areas, hidden from view until it's time for collection. The garbage trucks arrive promptly on schedule.
Now, it's a different story in Biarritz. Here, the public drop-off zones are scattered throughout the town, making it convenient for residents to use the one closest to their home. Some of these areas even have clothing and shoe deposits. Unlike Carmel's hidden bins, in Biarritz, there are no building-based trash bins that get put out on the street for collection. Instead, the town has an array of large containers with small openings, each serving a specific purpose like glass, general waste, paper, etc. Even the restaurants use these. I saw staff dragging large bins of glass bottles uphill the other day.
I have no idea when the trash is actually collected in Biarritz. Not that it really matters, but when I hear the trash truck, it could be Tuesday at dawn, Thursday under a full moon, or whenever the Garbageman decides to make his rounds.
One significant difference between these two trash systems is how they affect our awareness of waste consumption. In Carmel, the organized and convenient trash system can sometimes make waste disposal seem effortless. Scheduled pickups give the impression that everything is taken care of, which can lead to complacency.
On the other hand, Biarritz's inconvenient placement of waste collection points forces residents to be mindful of their waste. You can't wait and take the trash out once a week. It becomes almost a daily task. The bins in the house are small, and the thought of carrying a heavy or ripped bag two blocks, uphill, to the public trash deposit is a strong motivator to reduce waste. I bet this constant awareness encourages people to generate less waste and be more mindful of what they discard.
For instance, I've become hesitant to buy items that are excessively wrapped in plastic, cardboard, and the like. Where do I put that type of trash? I don’t see people lugging a bunch of trash. Just one small bag, eh hop!
