I’m confused by (letter-writer) Dan Garrett’s apparent resistance to the city composting program, and saddened that someone in this day and age would be so lazy and egocentric to think this program is too much work.
I guess if you have had your head in the sand for the last 20 years and threw absolutely everything into regular garbage, this program may come as a shock to you. But this is your problem because you didn’t do what was the right thing to do a long time ago.
This is not about “unthinking people that have bought into this program.” It is actually about thinking people who are actively participating in a solution to a problem. Garbage is a huge problem all over the world, including Abbotsford, and a burden we all have to share, since we are the ones who create it.
The City of Abbotsford has had a recycling program since 1994, so this is not a new thing. It couldn’t be easier. Deciding whether to throw something in a blue bag or a black bag takes little or no effort at all, and the same amount of effort to take it to the curb.
You don’t have to sort anything; just make sure it’s clean and dry and throw it in the bag. It’s the same with composting. Line the bucket with free newspaper (no fancy folding required) and put it under your sink beside your regular kitchen garbage bin. All the “effort” comes in the form of a conscious decision – do I throw it on the right or the left?
As for the yard waste program, I was delighted when the City of Abbotsford started this a few years back. Finally I had some way to get rid of my larger yard waste.
Composting is not something new, either. It has been around forever, ask any gardener. Now the City of Abbotsford has made it easy for people who don’t already compost at home to get rid of their waste.
I know it smells, but the garbage can under the sink and in the garage stinks too. Why does it matter what container it is in?
As for Dan asking for the waste portion of our taxes to be removed, this is crazy. They are still coming to pick up your waste – it is just in a different container. If you would like to transport your own waste to two or three locations weekly or bi-weekly, be my guest. Myself, I prefer the convenience of having it picked up at home.
If we can reduce the amount of waste going into landfill with a few conscious decisions why not do it? I think it is pure selfishness not to take the time to think about it.
Gen Rottluff, Abbotsford
