$20,000 for a Trash Can in San Francisco
2022-08-16
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1Officials in San Francisco are asking the public to help choose a waste container among several models proposed for mass deployment in the California city.
2It is proving to be a costly project.
3One of the trash cans under consideration cost more than $20,000 and took four years to make.
4San Francisco began its search for the perfect public trash can in 2018.
5Officials decided it was time to replace the more than 3,000 cans that have served the city's streets for almost 20 years.
6The current trash cans open too widely, they say, permitting people to reach in.
7The cans also break a lot, requiring repairs.
8Sometimes people push them over or mark them with words and pictures.
9Sometimes, the cans are set on fire.
10Last month, the city deployed 15 made-to-order trash cans and 11 off-the-shelf trash cans.
11Attached to each was a QR code from which people could answer questions about the individual can.
12The city government project also created interactive maps so people can find the different models to consider.
13The so-called Soft Square model trash can was priced at $20,900, making it the costliest model on the streets.
14It is made of light steel. A press of a pedal opens the can for hands-free operation.
15It has dividers so waste can be separated from materials for recycling, like aluminum and glass.
16Another model, called Slim Silhouette, came in at $18,800.
17It employs a steel design that makes it hard to mark with paint.
18The lowest-priced of the specially-made models cost about $11,000.
19The other trash cans deployed for now cost between $630 and $2,800.
20City officials say, however, that the government will not pay more than three-thousand per can once a model is chosen for mass production.
21Beth Rubenstein is a spokeswoman for San Francisco's Department of Public Works.
22"We live in a beautiful city, and we want (the trash can) to be functional and cost-effective, but it needs to be beautiful," she said.
23But the good looks of the shiny new trash cans have not protected them from vandalism and other disrespect.
24Three weeks after being deployed, several are overflowing, or covered in orange and white graffiti or dirty from coffee spills.
25Diane Torkelson volunteers on a team that removes trash from the streets near her home.
26She recently visited three of the proposed trash cans.
27Two were already full when the group arrived to inspect them, she said.
28"If the trash can is full, it's of no use, no matter how well it was designed," she said.
29I'm Caty Weaver.
1Officials in San Francisco are asking the public to help choose a waste container among several models proposed for mass deployment in the California city. 2It is proving to be a costly project. One of the trash cans under consideration cost more than $20,000 and took four years to make. 3San Francisco began its search for the perfect public trash can in 2018. Officials decided it was time to replace the more than 3,000 cans that have served the city's streets for almost 20 years. 4The current trash cans open too widely, they say, permitting people to reach in. The cans also break a lot, requiring repairs. Sometimes people push them over or mark them with words and pictures. Sometimes, the cans are set on fire. 5Last month, the city deployed 15 made-to-order trash cans and 11 off-the-shelf trash cans. Attached to each was a QR code from which people could answer questions about the individual can. The city government project also created interactive maps so people can find the different models to consider. 6The so-called Soft Square model trash can was priced at $20,900, making it the costliest model on the streets. It is made of light steel. A press of a pedal opens the can for hands-free operation. It has dividers so waste can be separated from materials for recycling, like aluminum and glass. 7Another model, called Slim Silhouette, came in at $18,800. It employs a steel design that makes it hard to mark with paint. 8The lowest-priced of the specially-made models cost about $11,000. 9The other trash cans deployed for now cost between $630 and $2,800. 10City officials say, however, that the government will not pay more than three-thousand per can once a model is chosen for mass production. 11Beth Rubenstein is a spokeswoman for San Francisco's Department of Public Works. "We live in a beautiful city, and we want (the trash can) to be functional and cost-effective, but it needs to be beautiful," she said. 12But the good looks of the shiny new trash cans have not protected them from vandalism and other disrespect. Three weeks after being deployed, several are overflowing, or covered in orange and white graffiti or dirty from coffee spills. 13Diane Torkelson volunteers on a team that removes trash from the streets near her home. She recently visited three of the proposed trash cans. Two were already full when the group arrived to inspect them, she said. 14"If the trash can is full, it's of no use, no matter how well it was designed," she said. 15I'm Caty Weaver. 16Olga Rodriguez reported this story for The Associated Press. Hai Do adapted the story for Learning English. 17____________________________________________________________________ 18Words in This Story 19made-to-order - phrase, designed specifically to meet a set of requirements 20off-the shelf - phrase, not made to order but taken from existing supplies 21functional - adj. working properly 22vandalism - n. the act of intentionally destroying or damaging property 23graffiti - n. pictures, words that are painted or drawn on wall, building, etc. 24We want to hear from you. We have a new comment system. Here is how it works: 25Each time you return to comment on the Learning English site, you can use your account and see your comments and replies to them. Our comment policy is here.