Dear editor,
I am responding to Connor McDowell’s opinion piece in the Nov. 29 issue of the Record (Garbage Police, brought to you by Courtenay council).
Regarding the proposal of “policing” of Courtenay citizens’ garbage and recycling bins, I disagree with the idea for the following reasons.
1) The most responsible citizens who consistently take care of their waste cannot always discern what is recyclable or not.
For example old toothbrushes - plastic or wood. Dead ballpoint pens. Wooden utensils for takeout. There are many more. Would the bin “policeman” even know themselves?
2) Comparing our community with other communities that found the plan counterproductive is not justified.
3) The funds for employing garbage “policing” would be better spent on educating the public as to what and how to deal with waste.
I realize the idea was for the betterment of the environment. And most citizens agree on the betterment of the environment, but in my opinion this plan is ludicrous and needs to be thought out more logically.
Because I bag my garbage - used tissues, panty liners (ugh) – in brown grocery bags, will I receive an “Oops” because the grocery bag is recyclable?
If this plan goes through I will return this unsightly bin and continue to take my recyclables to the depot on Puntledge Road where the employed gentlemen are so helpful with the needed information as to what is recyclable and what is not.
Gail Nasadyk,
Courtenay