# Taking Out The Trash - A History of Trash in Western Civilization *By James Hills — Updated February 2025* Sometimes I like to be a little weird and explore strange aspects of modern life ... just because. Who knows what might come of this knowledge but things like the history of the modern trash can fascinate me. So, let's take a look at the long and dirty history of trash cans. ## Trash Cans Are Relatively Modern Inventions When I first started looking into this topic, I assumed that since we have been producing trash virtually for as long as there has been civilization that trash cans would have a rich history too. While there was likely a receptacle for discarded items dating back thousands of years, the concept of organized municipal sanitation and removal of garbage to a distant place is a relatively modern one. In fact, garbage collection became an official service in 1875 in England. Along with this were formalized bins where residents would deposit their ashes from burned household waste.  Up until about this time most products used in the home could be easily discarded or consumed by fire. However, as United States and Europe were rapidly urbanizing and enjoying products that were "disposable" what worked previously simply wouldn't be sufficient. Products such as radios, disposable razors, kitchen appliances, packaged food, started to create massive amounts of trash that needed to be hauled away. Truthfully this trend had been growing since the 1750's in England where calls for a municipal waste removal authority were continually rejected. Only some of it would be recovered during these years as coal ash dust was a valuable commodity for brick-making and soil improving so it was recovered to support those industries. As public health became more of a concern in London the city would eventually pass the [Public Health Act of 1875](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_Health_Act_1875) requiring all households to deposit their weekly wasted in "moveable receptacles for disposal". The modern trash can was born! ### Explore America's Great Inland Sea On Great Lakes Cruises There's more to cruising than the west coast cruises we love so much. CruiseWestCoast [Read More](https://ads.flowmediamarketing.com/go/EuKG5T6uPselVk7d7sWWUA.444) ### A. Erazo From Las Verandas Shares Why Men Love Roatán for a Caribbean Guys Trip A. Erazo of Las Verandas on planning a Roatán guys trip: villas over hotel rooms, Black Pearl golf, sunrise fishing charters and what first timers get wrong. 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Viator (affiliate) [Book on Viator](https://ads.flowmediamarketing.com/go/EuKG5T6uPselVk7d7sWWUA.535) Promoted by FlowAds In 1895, [New York City](https://www.mantripping.com/united-states/new-york-state/new-york-city.html) would become the first US city to have a similar public-sector garbage management authority. ## Garbage Trucks Took Years To Develop With men going door to door collecting trash, a new type of vehicle was ultimately required. Originally the rubbish was collected by wagons pulled by horses with open beds designed to dump their loads. By the 1920s though, closed body trucks designed to contain the odors and featuring mechanical dumping mechanisms began to appear in England. The Garwood Load Packer released in 1938 was the first modern truck that included a closed body and a hydraulic compactor like we see today. ## Trash Cans Become Part of Modern American Life Following WWII With the move to the suburbs and an explosion in consumerism trash cans became a standard part of American life. As more and more trash was produced however, the simple trash can began to become specialized. For instance, by the 1960s Americans began sorting their garbage for recycling and by the 1980s residential garbage cans began to be standardized so that it was easier for mechanized garbage trucks to grab and dump them into the hopper. Additionally, specialized trash cans started to be produced. For instance, "bear proof" trash cans to prevent animals from tearing into your trash. More recently terrorism became a concern leading to the rise of Homeland Security Compliant Trash Cans. In Europe and America these cans are becoming increasingly popular since they feature clear walls and even clear bags to make them less of hiding space for those wishing to do evil. ## The Trash Bag Was Invented in 1950 Canadian inventors Harry Wasylyk and Larry Hansen invented the plastic trash bag in Mr. Wasylyk's kitchen out of waterproof polyethylene. September's Pick Amazon (affiliate) ### Kenyon City Grill Portable Stainless Steel Electric Grill Why we picked it: a grill you can actually carry to the campsite, the tailgate or the cabin without borrowing a truck. Stainless, no propane tank to wrestle, and hot enough to cook for four guys rather than reheat for one. 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