Since July, we've lived among piles of garbage, counting down the days until the county trash collectors roll down our neighborhood.

Councilman Dick Ladd (R-5th District), of Broadneck, told Patch that he is looking for solutions to the qualms many people have with the new schedule, but he said an easy fix to the smell issue is ensuring that you're using a trash can with a tight lid and no holes. 

Ladd is also asking around town for solutions and hopes to present his findings at a later date, he said.

As I survey my own neighborhood, I'd say at least half of the trash cans don't have any lids, which could probably contribute to the smell factor.

My wife and I moved into a new home in Arnold over the summer. With my new home, I inherited two garbage cans, each full of holes and without lids. I admit it—I am part of the problem. I notice the smell building up over the days leading up to Friday morning—our trash day.

I asked around town and got some comments from Broadneck residents. Here are their comments, though some were edited for length. The full thread of comments can be viewed on the Broadneck Patch Facebook page.

Post your solutions in the comments, and I'll put together a story later this week with your ideas.

Susan Bennett Buechling: "We have a horrible raccoon problem and this encourages them to come around to our home more often."

Chris Biondi: "We compost our smellier trash so the change hasn't been too brutal. We do need our ginormous recycling bins asap. The county hasn't gotten to us rurals yet. I do feel bad for the guys on the trucks. It was a tough job before and I'm sure it hasn't gotten easier with week old trash to pick up."

Laura Holoski Superczynski: "I don't think it is encouraging people to recycle more, honestly. Most of the people in my community just put out double the trash and still recycle about the same."

Kimberly Scolaro: "Horrible. We bought a $100 trash can because our other was so terrible. Bleach did not help! A family of 5 and 2 dogs - we need twice a week pick up. The trashcans in the neighborhood are rank- I am afraid rats may come with all the spoiled trash!"

Kevin Farrell: "In my case, recycling pickup twice a week would be better. Agree with the others though, once a week trash pickup breeds flies and maggots (and stink) in the warmer months. I have to constantly spray down my trash can with bleach and Simple Green to control maggots and garbage odors. That part is a definite health issue. Makes me feel bad for the trash truck crews!"

Kathryn Rice Toskov: "It's awful! They do take everything that is left out but I have never seen so many maggots and flies in my life. I have to spray my cans with bleach to keep the critters out and that does not stop the maggots. I've complained to the DPW and no response. It seems more of a health issue now than a budget issue. Absolutely disgusting! I live in a town house community and with 31 homes on our street in such a small area it's a huge problem."

Natalie Marie Benincasa Powell: "We have to conserve.. it's surely a bigger picture than once a (week) pick up service. this is way beyond our current situation.. what did our grandparents and great grandparents leave us with..a cleaner earth… that we are trashing up. People seriously. TRY."

Catharine Cooper Vick: "We were big recyclers before, so the amount we recycle has not changed. The county is picking up everything I put out. Keeping my can outside and my trashbags seem to be keeping the odor down. The maggots and large population of flies are my only complaint."

Deborah Geary: "Compost! It would be great of the county could help all of us (regardless of whether we are in single family, town ouse or apartment homes) compost our food waste. This would help with the problem of maggots. I just moved to Arnold and don't have a compost set up yet -- hopefully this fall."