To the Editors,
The recycling programs in Ontario are just short of being an embarrassment to the original and intended theme of recycling, which is, recycle all of the material that is deemed waste. The basic materials being plastics, paper, and metals such as aluminum cans etc. The private collection services are able to recoup some costs associated with the process – via the collection of aluminum, for instance.
At this time, the private operator refuses to empty our blue box material that contains 99% acceptable plastics because of one small piece of plastic wrap. The operator orders us to place this small plastic wrapper(s) in a larger plastic bag to be accepted as “collectable”. I refuse to purchase more plastic bags for the sole purpose of making the operator’s job easier. It defies the logic of recycling while actually adding to the problem.
I can assume these plastics are placed on a moving belt where workers must select the plastic that is recyclable and those that are not. The plastic that is not recyclable is then sent to landfill. All of our smaller plastic wrappers in one large bag makes the job easier for the workers on the line, where they can just pick up the larger bag and toss it to the designated landfill spot. This not only saves time, it is then possible for the operator to remove one of the line workers in my opinion.
After many hours of attempting to get answers from our government, I am informed, the local authorities are not able to enter into negotiations for the new private operator’s recycling program. However, they will still be able to negotiate contracts with “Organic” & “Garbage” collection.
We have made this job much easier for the private operator as we no longer recycle plastics of any kind. The private operator refuses to collect our plastics bin that contains one small piece of plastic wrap so why bother?
Roger Lambert,
Hagersville
