I really enjoyed playing your game! I tried it 1 player and it seemed to play just fine. I was nervous because I had 4 garbage explosions within my first 3 turns!! But I LOVED the upgrades because it really helped me to strategize and regain control. I was 1 garbage piece away from losing at one point, but ended up winning by gaining 6 upgrades. It did not feel like a win though because I did have so much garbage left on the map.
In case you are keeping track of stats... I made it to stage 4 on the progress sheet, played in normal mode, gained 6 upgrades (hold up to 4, adjacent square pick up, free move, free pick up, bin cost 0, protect adjacent squares) and had 14 garbage pieces in the end.
I had a few questions regarding the rules... 1. If the garbage explodes and one of the adjacent squares is a "mud" square, would I need to mark two squares on the stage tracker? 2. In the negative effect "add a mud spot" if I add a new mud spot but there is already a garbage piece on that new mud spot, do I need to mark a square in the stage tracker? 3. In the negative effect "roll an extra time" is that just a one time effect or is it now a permanent extra roll? 4. At game end, in the losing condition, does garbage that a player is holding count towards the end game losing condition?
Last thing, I think there is a typo in the "Build a bin" description. I think you wanted to say "between four squares" and not "between 4 circles." Unless I am misunderstanding the rule.
Sorry this is really long... but I really enjoyed your game and was super impressed by how simple, challenging, and fun it was! Well done!