May 6, 2010

Double, Double, Toil and Trouble - Winnipeg & Garbage, 2010 (by Margaret Ullrich)

This week we had 2 garbage pickups.


On Monday there were our usual visits by the garbage and recycling fellows. That seems to be falling into place. They are now picking up garbage from both sides of the back lanes. Our neighbors appreciate not being walled in by our trash. Neighborliness only goes so far. Then, on Tuesday, we had our first of the "Biweekly Spring and Fall Yard Waste Collection".


I am unimpressed by the new and improved system.


Contrary to their opinion of themselves, our city officials aren't that powerful. They can't control the weather or when people do house chores.

First the yard-waste disposal programs were not running the first week of April, when people had bags of yard waste. On top of that the St. James Civic Centre was permanently closed as a drop-off site, now that we're stuck with rolling garbage bins. Then the city officials decided the curbside yard-waste collection would be on May 4 and 18. Then there was the threat of a garbage strike.


What's a homeowner to do?

Rotting leaves and thatch stinks. Garbage bags don't add to the decor. Folks did not want to be left holding the bags, so they got rid of them as best and as soon as they could.


I walked around the neighborhood early on May 4. I saw a few regular plastic garbage bags - which wouldn't get picked up - and 6 of the approved paper yard waste bags. They were bought at Costco. You have to be a member to shop there. Regular stores don't have the damn bags. The CBC went looking for them.


It was not worth the trip for the Yard Waste Collection trucks.

And they are coming back on May 18.

What the hell for?


Have a great day. How can you miss - you're in Winnipeg!

No comments:

Post a Comment