[Loughla]

I don't understand how NYC couldn't make money for a private trash company. The trash company I use makes money, and our population density isn't anywhere near what it is in NYC. I have to imagine the largest cost is fuel, and it stands to reason that it takes much more fuel to get all of the trash where I live.

I don't understand what you're saying, I guess. I don't understand how a city being large can just automatically lead to a loss for trash companies.

[mechanical_bear]

There are complicating factors in NYC, as well as the fact that the average resident doesn’t pay what it actually costs for trash pickup, so moving to a private model would cost significantly more for each household. (Obviously TINSTAAFL, and this cost is just hidden in other ways. Eg taxes)

[alephnerd]

NYC already has private trash pickup and it's a bit of a S#1Tshow - https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/15/nyregion/nyc-garbage.html