Help /w Fallen Trees & Garbage?

[Nekoyaki]

I don't know where else a fifteen year old can get help about this. I have a load of problems right now.

A few months back during the summer, my stepfather decided to do some "renovations." He and his friends uprooted a load of bushes, cut down trees, and other shrubbery in our backyard and front. Now, our backyard is a FOREST, and he had to chainsaw down several pine trees because our family was worried about them falling on our house during storm season. That's supposed to be good right?
Now the problem is, they did the cutting down part, but now there are now five fallen trees and piles of large bushes scattered everywhere. Apparantley they neglected to dispose of them.
Not only that, but there's also garbage scattered among them such as bathroom tiles, indoor appliances, and a load of junk from INDOOR "renovations."

In other words, I need help coming up with a solution to dispose of the city dump that's residing in our backyard.
We've had a couple of complaints but my parents still refuse to take action, and I'm getting worried sitting here doing nothing.

Can someone give me some ideas as to where to start? What do I have to do, what are the costs? I'm going crazy here!

[Mr T]

Check with your city/township. Some have a facility for dropping off brush for disposal. You may be able to give away the trunks of the trees as firewood.

For the tree's you can rent a chipper and chip them yourself.. That will leave you with a few truckloads of chips to dispose of.. You can also see if a tree trimmer will come and chip them for you.

If you are going to do this yourself you proably wont be able to rent if you are under 18. Also not driving will further dampen things.

As for the trash.. If it's too much to put in bags on the curb (provided your trash hauler accepts building materials) , you will need to take it to a landfill. You pay by weight there. Also if you have alot you can get a dumpster dropped off. THey will come pick it up when you are ready. There is often a few days to a few week window to keep the dumpster before you pay extra charges so plan accordingly. You pay by weight here too. The landfill will be cheaper if you can get it there.

If you have appliances or alot of scrap metal, you can take them to a scrap year and get paid for it.. It wont be much though. My last pickup full of steel products netted me $24. If there is anyting copper, it is worth quite a bit of money right now. (steel/iron is priced by the ton, copper is priced by the pound).

Nice to see you taking (or at least trying to) charge. Good luck. Since complaints are flying already. If enough of them reach your city/township can play the public nusance card on the homeowner. It usually results in a fine and an additional fine per day if its still not cleaned up by a deadline. News channels also love to report on these things with their "action" lines. Situations like this often attracts rodents and crime. If someone in the area is trying to sell a house, it could effect that. Needless to say, its usually not tolorated for very long. If people are complaining and nothings still getting done, talk to the ones who are complaining, let them know you are trying to do something.. Who knows they may work with you or try to help. At least it will keep you on the good side of the picture...

Good luck, keep us posted.

[Bismarck Jack]

Good for you! Do the research and put together the plan. I am guessing your step father and mother will see that you are concerned and looking into the matter and realize that they need to take action. they have the necessary requirements to rent equipment and drive to the dump if needed.

I wouldn't actually just start working on it as you might damage your stepfathers pride a bit. Just put a plan together and discuss it with them. The outcome should be much better for you. the mess gets cleaned up and everyone is happy.

again, i don't know you and i am proud of you. Hope my 13 year old has your leadership and initiative when he is 15!:smile2: