EDITORIAL
If you’ve lived in Topeka, you’ve likely heard about the ongoing garbage issue plaguing the Eucalyptus properties—or worse, you’ve experienced it firsthand. As someone living next door to a dumpster-turned-landfill, I’ve had a front-row seat to this growing crisis.
To be fair, Eucalyptus properties have always struggled with trash management. But the current situation is unprecedented. Piles of refuse now rival the size of an actual apartment unit. Curious about the cause, I took it upon myself to dig into the mess—both figuratively and literally.
What’s Really Happening?
A source at the property office revealed that the root of the problem lies with Inland Waste Solutions, the company contracted for trash removal. According to this source, Inland has been unreliable for years, leading to sporadic pickups and compounding issues across Eucalyptus’s 29 properties.
Eucalyptus recently informed Inland it would not be renewing its multi-year agreement when it expires next year, citing these chronic problems. In response, Inland allegedly stopped collecting trash altogether, leaving the properties in chaos. To make matters worse, Inland’s phone number is now disconnected, and their dumpsters remain, blocking efforts to bring in Waste Management, the company Eucalyptus has turned to for help.
Here’s where it gets interesting: Inland Waste Solutions and Lakeshore Recycling Systems (LRS) share the same phone number and address of 785-232-9168 and 711 1/2 NE US 24 HWY, Topeka, KS 66608. Why would a company abandon its contracts, disable its contact line, and leave behind valuable assets like dumpsters? One has to wonder if Inland—or LRS—is hiding from accountability in what has become a literal dumpster fire of a situation.
Let’s Not Blame the Workers
While it’s easy to direct frustration at the nearest target, let’s remember that the office and maintenance staff aren’t to blame. They’re caught in the middle of this corporate tug-of-war. Dumping trash outside their office doors may seem amusing (and, admittedly, it made me chuckle), but it does nothing to address the real problem.
The Bigger Picture
Lew, the owner of Eucalyptus properties, is a savvy businessman with a reputation for being, let’s say, frugal. But cheapness only goes so far when it comes to managing properties at this scale. Lew knows better than to neglect something as critical as waste removal. After all, cleaning up this disaster is going to cost him close to $50,000—a hefty but necessary price tag for managing 29 properties’ worth of garbage.
Yet, for all the outrage and news coverage, one question remains: Why isn’t anyone calling Inland—or LRS, for that matter? If this problem is as big as it appears, shouldn’t the responsible party be held to account?
What Now?
The residents of Eucalyptus properties deserve better than to live amidst a growing trash heap. This isn’t just an eyesore; it’s a public health issue. Meanwhile, the lack of transparency and accountability from Inland raises serious concerns. Why have they gone silent? Who will ensure they clean up their mess—literally and figuratively?
As this saga unfolds, let’s focus our efforts on finding real solutions rather than scapegoating the people on the ground. And maybe, just maybe, someone should try dialing that disconnected number one more time at 785-232-9168.
