Jasper, Indiana, a community of 5,215 persons, embarked on a project to eliminate the garbage can through the use of household garbage-grinders in December 1949. Recognizing this opportunity, the Public Health Service and the Indiana State Board of Health set forth to make a comprehensive study at Jasper. A preliminary report of this investigation, covering the period of March 1950 to October 1951, is presented here. Since there is need for more data in some phases of the study before additional conclusions can be drawn, it is proposed to continue the study until such observations can be made.