The sanitation department in Dallas has made some changes to its policies on garbage pickup in recent years, excluding some alleyways from their collection routes. Many residents are unimpressed with these changes and argue that alleys should be included.

City of Dallas spokeswoman Catherine Cuellar stated in August 2022 that “sanitation will continue to provide alley collection services to those locations in which it is safe and efficient to do so.” The alleyways removed from the routes were left out because they presented safety concerns for workers and machinery. 

Tim Oliver, interim director of Dallas sanitation, stated in July 2020 that “due to space constraints, damage to gas meters, fences, yards, and approaches occurs daily.” At that time, he stated that they would save around 6 million dollars annually if they switched to using automated garbage trucks that only one person could operate. These computerized trucks can not operate on the uneven pavement that is found in many alleys.

There are varying viewpoints on this topic. Some say that the City of Dallas has the right to change the way they approach trash pickup and are making the right decision by removing some alleyways from their routes. Others say that all residents should have the right to have their trash collected from alleys, and switching to automated trucks would present more problems than it would solve.

The question up for debate: Should Dallas cease #trash collection in some alleyways and switch to using #automated garbage trucks?