Dear editor,
Re: new garbage collection system.
While most of us want to be good, responsible citizens concerned for the landfills etc., many of the latest letters on this topic appear to miss the point (at least from my perspective). ‘Progressive’ ideas are often long on concepts and ideals while being short on real-world practicality. In our case, a household of five, our trash allowance has been slashed in half. This was done arbitrarily with no consultation. Despite diligently separating organics and recycling for years, we are just physically incapable of squeezing our trash into a 120-litre receptacle biweekly. As I write this, pickup is still a few days away and we are awash in trash and recycling that will not fit in the containers provided.
So, what are we to do with the excess trash that the city refuses to take? Bring it to city hall? The new system seems to have expended much effort in a punishment regime and less on the realities of the customer. We’ve been placed in an impossible situation and now have to contend with ‘garbage Gestapo’ rooting through our bins looking for reasons to fine us. I’m sure we aren’t the only ones in this position. What will the unintended consequences be as a result? One already sees trash bags dumped by the roadside before the new system. I wonder how much worse that will get?
I’ve also been disappointed by how difficult it has become to dispose of excess recycling. The bins behind the Canex on base were taken away. The depot on Guthrie and Anderton was shut down. The promised depot on Ryan never materialized. Now our only choice is to go to the main depot.
I can offer a solution. Pick up organics, trash and recycling every week. There. I solved it for you.
D.J. Vernon, Comox