For the first few months pickup was intermittent and specialized. Garbage on Monday, trash on Thursday in my area. The Corps picked up most of the tree debris early, you could sign a release and they'd drive their BobCats right up into your property. For a year you could still call the Corps of Engineers for big loads with 72 hour notice (of course they will come when they are ready). Refrigerators were picked up in a special run for white ware and taken to a CCF disposal facility before being crushed.

After three months the city was still a mess. Garbage, trash, debris everywhere. The ex-mayor of Indianapolis was on the radio, and the first thing he noticed was the trash. Isn't it about time to pick this stuff up.

After six months Waste Management is finally back under city control and resumed once a week pickup (it was previously twice).  It's working pretty well in the unflooded areas, but the flooded zones are still a mess. Construction debris, vegetation, garbage and an occasional appliance can be found piled in heaps alongside curbs around the city.

In April 2006 FEMA ceased pickup of large amounts of debris from apartments. So with that ball dropped, residents are once again having to complain about growing piles of trash. Why is there no hand off and coordination? When one service is discontinued another must be ready to take its place.

November 1, 2006 marks the end of free debris removal by The Corps and FEMA. This may be a sign that we are recovering.

January 1, 2007 marked the resumption of twice a week pickup under new contracts and management. "Disney Like" cleanliness of the French Quarter is coming soon. Garbage pickup has returned to normal in the city of New Orleans. Note that the new normal is pickup from 100,000 locations rather than the 250,000 locations that existed before the storm.

SDT is doing a great job in the French Quarter.