I don't think this is a "one size fits all" situation. I'm an avid composter, and I also mulch ALL of the leaves from my maple and tulip tree. Just makes sense to me. I understand the situation downtown, and not everyone mulches/composts, etc, however for those out in the urban areas; who have larger yards, and more vegetation and trimming to do, i.e...rose bushes, oleanders, trees, etc, the "claw" works! I've observed that ALL of our utilities have continued to rise. This is simply another effort by the City/County, etc to charge us for the use of the bins(do-it-yourself) or for us to pay for hauling the leaves/tree trimmings, and so forth to the landfill, or pay for "claw" service. I say that if you can...compost those leaves into your lawn, or use the leaves for your garden, or create a compost bin. I recently purchased a grinder to grind up trimmings....and offered to grind up my neighbor's trimmings as well! Will I be able to convince the City that I will no longer need the "claw" or bin service so that I won't be charged? Stay tuned.