Saying Goodbye to an Old Friend

#61 Real Estate Man

A problem faced by all of us is trash disposal. Municipalities are mandating more and more complicated recycling rules. Where to put what regulations so convoluted that a Phi Beta Kappa majoring in Environmental Science couldn’t figure them out. Most people try — maybe with a little backsliding.

In Philadelphia, any apartment building 6 units or over has to hire a private trash hauler for their waste disposal needs. In a crowded city like Philly there’s always a problem finding space for the trash containers. Usually there’s a small alley next to the building serviced that will suffice. That often presents a new problem for the tenants in the 1st floor apartments who depend on that alley for most of their natural light and air. Dumpsters full of trash are part of the city scape it’s denizens prefer to avoid.

Real Estate Man got a call about and unusual smell from the 1st floor unit on 20th St. The smell was coming from the dumpster directly under the tenant’s bedroom window.. The tenant was quick to say that the container always smelled but this stink was unique. Real Estate Man went over to check this out personally.

Assuming the role of dumpster diver Real Estate Man found the source of the smell.

Real Estate Man’s story: