San Francisco Test Running Trash Cans That Cost Taxpayers Over $20,000 Each

San Francisco has commissioned a company to make the “perfect trash can” to clean up the city streets — and one of the prototypes cost taxpayers $20,000.

Along with the $20,000 model, the city also commissioned two other prototypes that cost $19,000 and $11,000 each.

“What takes four years to make and costs more than $20,000? A trash can in San Francisco,” the Associated Press reported on Saturday.

San Francisco residents will have the opportunity to try out six trash cans and vote on which ones they think are the best.

The city added three off the shelf models after facing outrage over the high cost of their custom designs.

There are currently over 3,000 public trash cans throughout the city.

“Officials say the current bins have too big a hole that allows for easy rummaging. The bins also have hinges that need constant repair and locks that are easy to breach. Some people also topple them over, cover them in graffiti, or set them on fire,” the AP report explains.

The report added that, “the city is so serious about the endeavor it has created interactive maps so residents can track and test the different designs, which include the Soft Square, the priciest prototype at $20,900. The boxy stainless steel receptacle has openings for trash and for can and bottle recycling and includes a foot pedal. The Slim Silhouette, at $18,800 per prototype, is made of stainless steel bars that give would-be graffiti artists less space to tag.”

Beth Rubenstein, a spokeswoman for San Francisco’s Department of Public Works, told the outlet that if one of the more expensive models is chosen it will cost taxpayers $2,000 to $3,000 each to mass produce.

Rubenstein highlighted the importance and high priority of making sure that the trash cans are “beautiful.”

“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.

The hyper-expensive cans have been on the streets for only about three weeks and have already been vandalized.

The AP report says, “others already show the drip stains of inconsiderate coffee drinkers or have attracted dumping, with people leaving dilapidated bathroom cabinets and plastic bags full of empty wine bottles next to them.”

Meanwhile, SF still has a major problem with people defecating in their streets. Perhaps they should spend less on trashcans and more on potty training their residents.

 

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