A San Pablo, California, small business owner has taken a dramatic step to resolve a payment dispute, resulting in a mountain of trash being returned to a client’s driveway. Martin Perez, owner of Express Rental Dumpster, authorized the action after a customer allegedly refused to pay for services rendered.
The incident occurred on 19th Street, where a client had rented a large bin to clear debris from a residence. According to Perez, the client made repeated promises to pay, but the provided credit card was consistently declined.
After multiple attempts to secure payment via phone calls and text messages were ignored, the company decided to reclaim its equipment without incurring further disposal costs. Perez told reporters he had already lost money on delivery and pickup.
He refused to incur further landfill fees after the client reportedly ghosted his attempts to collect payment. This led to the decision to return the waste to its point of origin.
Footage captured by the homeowner’s Ring security camera shows the dump truck pulling up to the property. The driver engages the mechanical bed, lifting the container until the entire load of debris slides back onto the concrete driveway.
The video has since gone viral, sparking a heated debate over small business rights versus property laws. While some commenters have praised the move as instant karma, others have questioned whether the action constitutes illegal dumping or vandalism.
San Pablo Police monitored the scene to ensure the debris remained on private property and did not obstruct public walkways. Officials confirmed their primary role was to prevent the mess from spilling into the street or sidewalk.
Neighbors described the standoff as a dramatic scene that quickly drew media attention. Outlets including KTVU and the New York Post have highlighted the story as a cautionary tale for both service providers and consumers.
The client has not publicly commented on the incident or the status of the unpaid bill. As of Tuesday, the debris remains on the property while the footage continues to trend online.