When the City introduced automated garbage pickup, I supported it.
True, costs might increase and some people might lose their jobs, but, on the up side, everyone must have a garbage can or their garbage would not be picked up. Better still, all your garbage had to be in the can, no garbage bags at the curb allowed. Under the old system, I was disgusted at the number of people in this otherwise nice Heritage neighbourhood who either did not have enough garbage cans or who had none at all.
The crows would regularly open garbage bags and spread the contents all over the street where it often stayed. The automated system was a big improvement even though many people who produced a lot of garbage thought that the smallest (and cheapest) can was good enough and the drivers were too goodhearted to refuse to empty an over-full can.
Now, we have 'free' recycling. There are so many downsides to the new recycling system that I don't bother using it.
The cans have no lids. Garbage is once again blowing down the street. Many people are having a hard time remembering when pickup day is or what can or cannot be recycled resulting in open cans sitting out all day with recyclables in them because it is the wrong day or the wrong thing is in them.
My wife and I were given, several years ago, a gift of six months recycling service from R3 Recycling and it is well worth the $10/month. I get cans with lids. I get as many as I need. I can put anything any reasonable person thinks should be recyclable in the cans and R3 will sort it out. Their rules are simple. Everything should be clean.
Separate paper from all else. Put glass and metal in a bag in the 'all else' box. No need to put the cans at the curb, he will come up to the house to get them (so you don't have to remember to put them out or worry that they might be too close to your garbage can).
It seems to me that the 'free' system could be pretty easily fixed. Why don't we do that?
Dennis Rudolph
Prince George
