5.3.2 Solid Waste
Trash disposal data for the community underscores the need for improved waste management services. The most common method of trash disposal is burning. Sixty-seven percent of survey respondents engaging in this practice. While burning trash is less than ideal, Chuck, a longtime African American resident, explains that “If we do not burn the trash, we have accumulated waste, which leads to vermin and animals like bobcats and rats.” Some, like Alfred, a recently arrived white resident, burn their bathroom waste. He describes it in this way: “Well, your pee and everything go right into the garden. You know, it goes out. When you poop, you poop in a bag and burn it because, you know, you burn it, and it goes right into the ashes, except we have a porta-potty, too. The porta-potty— the guy comes out for $40 and he pumps it out. But if you’re at night and you don’t want to go out of your trailer at night, you just put a bag over your toilet, poop in it, tie it shut, and burn it with the trash.
Figure 28. A trash burning scene in Springville.
Some residents, like Pedro, burn trash to avoid being ticketed for illegal dumping. “And so not to be bothered, I better burn it here quickly. Although they [the fire department] also don’t give me permission, whatever they come and bother me with. And that’s why I accumulate too much garbage. If they don’t stop in my place to fine me, then could burn it. I have water, I have everything for any problem or fire, and I am aware—I am cautious.” Similarly, Francisco, a Latino who moved to the community ten years ago, describes fire department policing. “Because they come and keenly aware of what I’m burning, and I keep an eye on it. I have clean water where I burn. And I am caring. And the other time, a man told me that the firefighter is the boss here, that he came on Monday because they spoke to him.” But Francisco voices dissatisfaction about inconsistent policing of trash dumping into the Springville’s creek by individuals outside the community, “No, but the water in those streams has tires, which is bad. That’s bad.”
Figure 29. Picture taken by a resident burning trash.
Most of the residents in Springville use trash burning practices to dispose of their waste, practiced by 67% of respondents. A common method of burning practiced throughout the community utilizes a metal bin to burn general trash. Respondents state they burn paper, wood, Styrofoam, and some, even plastics. Purchased dumpsters are the second most common solid waste disposal method, practiced by 33% of the community. This costly method is most typical of respondents who own single-family dwellings. Only 15% of the community has access to regular waste pickup, indicating a need for comprehensive waste management services. Lastly, 9% of the community disposes of waste by unspecified methods, which can include various informal, less common practices. The failure of the city of provide trash pickup to the community as a whole means trash accumulates in some residents’ lots.
Figure 30. Solid waste disposal practices in Springville.
Figure 31. Waste accumulates in resident lots.
Figure 32. Trash in a resident’s lot.
Compounding the problem is that a major source of solid waste comes from outside Springville. “Look,” Francisco explains, “a lot of people come to throw garbage. I have caught a lot of people. Trash. They throw garbage. I haven’t seen them disposing tires. At night they do it.” Commenting on this illegal dumping, Gerardo says, “They throw away the tires, yes, indeed. What happens is that there is no security here. But yes, but those from here are not [dumping]. They are people from outside.” Several residents expressed similar frustration. “But over at a resident’s house, I do know that someone’s been taking tires over there and dumping them illegally, without his permission. He’s trying to catch the person, so he’s got cameras there.”
Figure 33. Vacant lots and creeks in Springville are targets for illegal dumping of tires by non-residents.