Why Finland is Fantastic – Reason #4,494: The Trashman
In my home state of Maryland, the trashman is owned and operated by the state. It’s an American pastime to joke about the trashman – they’re always late, they do a messy job, they bang up your trashcans, they never leave the cans sitting up straight – but what are you going to do about it? They have a monopoly, there’s no competition, you have no choice.
In Finland on the other hand, we can pick and choose our trash collectors (although I don’t exactly know how it works in remote parts of Finland). If one does a lousy job, we call up their competitor. If the residence leave their trash stations messy, the Finnish trashmen will happily clean it up…for an extra fee of course. In Maryland if your trash stations are messy, the trashmen won’t clean it up and it becomes more messy the longer it sits out there.
Helsinki has very clean streets and alleyways, Baltimore does not – and although you can’t blame the trashmen for all of this, I believe they are a factor – or rather, the system (public vs. private trash collection) is the factor. Finland has shown that privatization has once again outshined the state!
Off topic: what is the name of that Sesame Street character in the picture? I keep thinking of the Cookie Monster but it’s not him.
Comment by Anzi — Tue, Aug 9th, 2005 @ 1:51 pm
Oscar the Grouch
Comment by Phil — Tue, Aug 9th, 2005 @ 2:17 pm
That’s him! Thank you. Any word on Bert and Ernie coming out of the closet soon?
I have never put much thought into trash collecting, seeing as how I’ve lived my whole life in apartment buildings and, well, it hasn’t been my problem to worry about who collects the trash. As long as someone does.
Once or twice the trash collectors have woken me up but that’s about it.
Comment by Anzi — Tue, Aug 9th, 2005 @ 2:28 pm
Any word on Bert and Ernie coming out of the closet soon?
Nah, they’re just good friends and roomates. Not all male roomates are gay
Comment by Phil — Tue, Aug 9th, 2005 @ 2:31 pm
you’re so right. finland is fantastic.
Comment by jose luis — Tue, Aug 9th, 2005 @ 3:28 pm
Actually the waste management is not totally freely competed in Finland. For example in the YTV area you cannot pick another company for single household since it’s YTV’s contract area.
Comment by Oksa — Tue, Aug 9th, 2005 @ 3:29 pm
you???re so right. finland is fantastic.
Heh, the trashman is on the lower part of my list as why Finland is fantastic.
Comment by Phil — Tue, Aug 9th, 2005 @ 3:41 pm
“In Finland on the other hand, we can pick and choose our trash collectors (although I don???t exactly know how it works in remote parts of Finland).”
In northernmost Lapland there is an ultimate solution to the trash problem! All the trash is taken to Norway. It’s keeping the homeland nice and clean.
Comment by Eino-Kalevi — Wed, Aug 10th, 2005 @ 7:23 pm
Yet, even if it’s a single company’s area, it’s still private service, which can be bought from another company if the job isn’t done well.
Comment by sepisp — Thu, Aug 11th, 2005 @ 5:35 pm
Personally I 2nd that. I think being able to express your opinion is key to this thread. Good night for now
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