How trash collection works in Amsterdam:
The dumpsters are completely underground except for an access chute. They have a big handle on top, and the garbage truck has a crane that attaches to the handle and lifts the entire dumpster over the truck; the bottom falls open to dump. It’s controlled by a wireless joystick held by the driver.
There’s separate glass and cardboard dumpsters, and completely free bulk trash pickup once a week. In the US I had to make a special trip to town hall and stand in a line to buy a sticker if I wanted to throw out a chair or something, here you just leave it by the dumpster on your designated day of the week. (There’s a cottage industry of salvagers who swing by to see if there’s anything worth saving)
