Modern trends toward greater use of prepared, 
packaged, and frozen foods undoubtedly will con- 
tinue to reduce the garbage content of mixed ref- 
use, a change that will be accelerated by the 
increased use of home garbage grinders, the con- 
version of coal heating systems to oil and gas, and 
the decrease in back-yard burning of refuse. But 
while modern food merchandising is materially 
aiding in the reduction of vector and nuisance 
populations, it does not preclude the necessity for 
proper storage. Regardless of the composition of 
refuse, in general the extent of fly and rodent 
infestation closely parallels the degree of care- 
lessness and neglect attending refuse storage. 
Responsibility for Refuse Storage 
In most communities adequate refuse storage 
on the premise is the individual responsibility of 
the occupant. However, the local health department 
should have the authority to require sanitary refuse 
storage at all premises. Proper refuse storage in- 
volves more than merely providing a sufficient 
number of containers to hold the volume of refuse 
produced between collections. It also involves 
selection of an approved type of container; place- 
ment of containers where they will provide maxi- 
mum convenience for the user, yet be readily 
accessible to the collection crew; the proper pre- 
storage handling of garbage and other putrescible 
wastes; and the maintenance of the containers and 
their surroundings in a sanitary condition. 
The collection agency should instruct citizens 
as to their responsibilities in refuse storage. When 
these instructions are followed, general sanitary 
conditions will be improved and collections will 
be more efficient. More garbage will be adequately 
stored and more containers will be located at a 
convenient place at the proper time. One success- 
ful method of informing the public is the use of a 
printed card, which describes the storage practices 
required and gives collection schedules in different 
sections of the community. 
Several cities supply the containers and retain 
ownership, charging the user a fee for service and 
replacement. In this manner the city is. able to 
standardize the size and shape of the containers, 
thereby increasing the ease and efficiency of col- 
lections and at the same time contributing to sound 
fly and ratproof storage. In a few municipalities 
where the city owns the containers, the can ex- 
change system is used. The full container is 
picked up and replaced by a steam-cleaned empty 
container. This relieves the home owner of the 
responsibility of maintaining the container, but it 
is expensive for the community and consequently 
is seldom used. 
Household Treatment of Refuse 
In the prestorage treatment of refuse, a number 
of simple yet important steps can be taken by the 
premise occupant which will be advantageous both 
to him and the municipal department responsible 
for collection and disposal. These measures, 
together with good storage, will reduce rodent food 
and harborage, fly breeding, and some mosquito 
breeding at homes and commercial establishments. 
Garbage requires more prestorage treatment 
than other types of refuse. Draining household 
garbage anu then wrapping it in several thick- 
nesses of newspaper before depositing it in the 
containers has numerous benefits for the house- 
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