<p>This is actually really interesting. All the different types of relationships we have with our . . . garbage.</p>
<p>Have one- use it always-we NEVER put food waste in it, so I really only empty it once every 2 or 3 weeks. We do a ton of recycling (and someone posted they have FREE curbside recycling, here in Northern California nothing is FREE-we pay for that recycling as part of our trash pick up bill). Also it keeps our trash bill down because we use the smallest size can they offer.</p>
<p>My mom and dad however, use their trash compactor to store potatoes and onions. A whole new meaning for “mashed potatoes”.</p>
<p>ilovedcollege, I guess you’re right - the curbside recycling is paid for with our taxes, but I meant we don’t have to pay for special bags or containers. Yep, we recycle almost everything, too - I’m always looking carefully for the little recycle symbol on packaging. I was happy our town went to this system after they figured out a way for us not to have to sort all the different materials. That would have driven me bonkers.</p>
<p>Our town’s recycling rate is 48%, one of the highest in the state. It was around 15% before we had to pay for trash bags.</p>
<p>Yes - don’t put food in it or it’ll start to smell.</p>
<p>We also use regular bags that my W gets at Costco - white bags just the right size.</p>
<p>“I consider trash compacters to be right up there with electric can openers as electrical appliances that we do NOT need in this world.” </p>
<p>I live without either. But my mom would really miss her electric can opener (she does a lot of canned tuna, fruit cocktail etc). Some families that open a lot of cat food wouldn’t part with their can openers.</p>
<p>A few years ago I replaced the dead electric can opener with
[Amazon.com:</a> Oxo 58081 Steel Can Opener: Kitchen & Dining](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Oxo-58081-Steel-Can-Opener/dp/B00004OCMM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1302388776&sr=8-1]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/Oxo-58081-Steel-Can-Opener/dp/B00004OCMM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1302388776&sr=8-1)
and I could not be more pleased. Easy, easy, easy to open the biggest cans with minimal effort, and I have some arthritis issues. Pops in the dishwasher, and most importantly, doesn’t take up valuable real estate on my counter. It’s a gem.</p>
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<p>hopefully without the toddlers in the diapers …</p>
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Oh no! 
Let’s not get started on the built-in soap dispenser issue. Look good? Yes. Work right? Never for us. One of those things that seems like such a good idea… and what could go wrong? Why don’t they work as well as any other liquid soap dispenser? We’ve tried diluting the soap with water - helps a bit. I’ll never fall for that “designer” idea again, lol.</p>
<p>Reviving this thread as the OP. Over the weeks of noodling over what to do with our trash compactor . . . I’ve become really fond of it! I just appreciate how small it makes our garbage. And yes, we live in a place where excess garbage is expensive. But there’s something satisfying about smashing it down into a small space. So I’m thinking when I replace the ovens for stainless steel ones I will get a stainless steel front for the yellowed icky front of our trash compactor and just keep the darn thing. </p>
<p>I would honestly miss it.</p>