Dear Editor:
I have recently made my regular visit to the town dump to drop off some items. I have been doing this for 15 years.
While there, I noticed a 24 inch square piece of plywood that I could recycle so I naturally picked it up. I was immediately approached by an employee in a pickup truck who told me to put it back on the heap, which I did.
Needless to say, I was surprised. I’m wondering how much it costs the town to have this kind of micro-management, taking into account the cost of wages and a truck.
I have friends who recently had similar experiences at the Summerland dump, on one occasion involving a single piece of 2 x 4.
I understand that the town has had a no scavenging rule in place for many years but it was never enforced to this extreme level.
I tried to explain to this employee that common sense is needed in this situation; even police officers have the power to use common sense when dealing with small issues. The worker, while agreeing, told me he could risk his job by using common sense.
He advised me to complain to the town council.
Another factor to be taken into account is that by removing and recycling this waste, we are in fact helping the town and the environment by reducing fill, thereby reducing taxes and extending the life of the depot.
I have visited many other dumps in Ontario and the Yukon where they encourage taxpayers to recycle items from the dump, even having an area set aside, sometimes even a roofed section, where people can deposit useful items for others to pick over.
Lastly, taxpayers who drive their own refuse to the dump are in fact helping the town by not requiring the regular weekly pick up and should be welcomed with a smile and not treated like criminals.
Please remember this item was one small piece of plywood — 24 inches square. Yes, I could have bought some but I have no use for a 48 inch by 96 inch sheet.
Trevor Ling
Summerland
