The Peru Chronicles - Living in Interesting Times

Trash collection in Lima is quite different than in Oregon. Every night around midnight the garbage truck comes to collect the trash. Trash is put on the curb in plastic bags - not in cans. (Cans are not used because they will be stolen if left outside.) While the trash waits to be picked up, passing dogs feed themselves on what they can. (For example, I heard several dog fights at night - presumably over trash.) On the other hand, many houses have small round or rectangular metal cages mounted atop metal posts and bolted to the ground. Using these, the dogs cannot reach the bags.

In Huancayo, on the other hand, a garbage truck passes by once a week. There is a team of three on the truck, the driver, and two people in the back. One person bangs a bell to announce the arrival of the truck. As the truck passes, people run outside with their trash for the week and throw it into the back of the truck. When the crew is not busy collecting trash, they go through it looking for useful things to sell or keep. It's a really nasty job.