Gift Wrapping the Garbage

It seems our garbage must now be gift wrapped if it is to be collected.  This concept would seem rather bizarre in light of the fact that the city has just passed a bylaw to reduce the number of bags or containers allowed for collection from five to three in order to reduce the amount of waste going into the landfill.  Common sense appears to have been removed with the garbage.  Little notes appeared on many residents’ garbage containers, in one neighbourhood anyway, last week to say the garbage was ‘loose’ and therefore was, not picked up.

On seeking clarification from the City’s communication department it would appear all garbage within the garbage can must be contained………in one plastic bag or container not weighing more than 20K and a limit of three will be collected.  No problem.  This was clearly understood by reading the notices already published. It would seem however, that another condition unknown to the public has also been added….the type of garbage gift wrap!

In a number of mysterious cases, garbage was not collected this week because it was seen as, ‘loose.’  The problem – the garbage was contained in small, recycled bags (less than three)placed a few at a time in one garbage can.   Now if the garbage was feathers, sawdust or shredded paper the idea of ‘loose’ is easily understood but separate small recycled plastic bags…..really?

This is just one example.  One empty non-recyclable plastic and paper bag, one aluminum plate and one small recycled bag of garbage – not collected, not even the bags.  This was just one of several examples on one street.

To unnecessarily purchase brand new plastic or alternative new containers to wrap up garbage defies  the intent of the bylaw and common sense.  For those of us who take great care to reduce our garbage to next to nothing, by reducing, reusing and recycling, this last week’s experience was disheartening and disappointing to say the least.  Having checked with the regulations for Kamloops and Kelowna it would seem this Cranbrook interpretation is certainly out of sync with these municipalities.

Let's hope this was all a misunderstanding and that common sense returns next regular garbage day.