Give The Recycling Idea Some Time

Monday, August 04, 2008 03:46 AM

It is likely that the taxpayers of the city would agree to a hike in their garbage collection rates of $30 to 40 dollars a year if that money is sufficient to introduce a recycling program in the city.

There hasn’t been much interest over the issue given an attendance of under 24 people to a recent open house, it never the less is an important issue for the future.

As the matter now stands the Regional District who operates the land fill doesn’t know how much will be recycled. Will the new recycling include for example, glass, newspaper and cans?

So in the next few months we will see an effort by the City and the Regional District to try and find a common ground with the taxpayer who ultimately will be the receiver of the bill.

Whether we like the idea or not it is a good move. If we were provided with bins to recycle and if we had some sort of pick up there would be an effort to try and do our part.

As the matter stands today, it is summer, we haven’t had much of it, people are trying to get in a holiday with the kids, and recycling is not paramount on their mind.

Try again in September when the summer dust settles, those people trying to promote the idea may find there is more interest than first appeared.

I’m Meisner and that’s one man’s opinion.

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Posted on Monday, August 04, 2008 03:46 AM in Views by Ben Meisner

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Comments

Posted by: Lamb on August 4 2008 8:10 AM

Think you are right Ben. Recycling of newspapers would be my priority.

Posted by: diplomat on August 4 2008 9:01 AM

When I visited Europe about 15 years ago I discovered that in some cities they have (besides the automated garbage pickup similar to P.G.) special pickup days.

A couple of days of free pickup of yard waste resulting from pruning of shrubs and trees.

A special day for free pick up of old appliances and furniture, two or three times a year.

A city crew comes around with the proper equipment to load up the items and dispose of them.

Of course there are also the usual collecting bins for glass, old clothes, newspaper etc.

They are placed strategically next to apartment buildings and in every subdivision.

No glass, newspaper and cardboard is allowed to be in the garbage.

Stores must keep cardboard boxes, plastic wraps and styrofoam when one makes a purchase and if the customer decides to take the item home without all the packaging material.

Posted by: NMG on August 4 2008 2:55 PM

I agree Ben. If it's made easier to recycle, people will start doing it more. It would also be a sign that PG is progressive, which DOES assist in helping our reputation and the attractiveness of the City.

It's a no-brainer IMHO.

Posted by: powderhound on August 4 2008 6:09 PM

I'm a huge advocate of recycling, and do so regularly, the problem.....I'm told by transfer station staff that I cannot recycle my glass or any other plastic other than milk jugs. On a recent visit to the lower mainland, I noticed bins for each number of plastic as well as oil jugs, glass, etc etc. Metro Recycling will accept glass provided they are beverage containers that they get paid for, otherwise they want you to throw it in the garbage. What a waste. I was told by one of their employees that if I wished, just place the glass in the milk jug bin as it's hand sorted and any glass will be thrown into the pile with the beverage bottles and be recycled. I'll pay $40 per year without question provided they pick-up ALL my recyclables. My 2 cents.

Posted by: robichal on August 4 2008 8:48 PM

I agree whole heartidly. We were just in New Brunswick and Fredericton has curbside recycling pickup. I thought most places did and were the one of the last of our size to do so...I would happily pay an extra $10 to "get with the program" FINALLY!!!

Posted by: szd on August 5 2008 1:59 AM

It costs us as much in fuel to send our stuff to recycling as it would in taxes. So it should be a no brainer. Oops there I go again!!!

Posted by: Lindylou on August 5 2008 6:17 AM

I would also like Prince George to consider going plastic bag free....Other cities are doing it and I don't see why we can't....and yes I would pay extra to have my recyclables picked up at my house. I currently bring them to the transfer stations, everything except glass jars which for some reason they don't take.

Posted by: metalman on August 5 2008 11:56 AM

Yes! plastic shopping bags should be made a thing of the past. They are at once the handiest thing around and one of the worst eyesores I see blowing around. Of course, if everybody took care to see that they did not blow away, we would not have the problem. That is true of so many things, the actions of a few jerks dictate the way that conciencious people have to live.
This city most definitely needs a recycling program, and I would gladly pay a little each month for the service. Right now, we save all recyclables until they take up too much space in the garage, and then take them in to the landfill (recycle bins) and to the bottle depot. Even then there is too much going into the landfill.
metalman.

Posted by: lunarbase on August 5 2008 5:50 PM

I was in the little town of Virden Manitoba on holidays recently and even they have curb side recycling. Blue boxes provided and picked up the same day as your residential garbage. So why can't our city get with it ? I know it costs money but it comes down to priorities. Just where is our money being spent ?

Posted by: robichal on August 6 2008 3:55 PM

I'm glad someone brought up the plastic grocery bags. I have an uncle who lives in France and if you don't bring re-usable bags to the grocery store you S.O.L. they don't supply plastic anywhere. I just want to scream when I see people w/ what is probably $400 - $500 worth of groceries all in plastic bags. If you can afford all those groceries, one would think they can probably afford $5 - $10 in reusable bags! I wish Save-on would push these more.