Recycling Issues

[KevinL]

Reducing plastic production (and consumer plastics generally) is the only real way to impact the microplastics issue. That, conveniently, goes hand in hand with general reduction of petroleum use, an even greater environmental boost.

[KevinL]

We don't seem to have a general waste thread so I'll post this here - it's not just the new bins changing the waste collection regime next month, it's also possible your collection day will change (it has for me; we were Tuesday, now Friday). Look up your address here to confirm: https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/livin...anges.aspx

[nms]

Also fun fact: the black and green wheelie bins are property of the Region and are expected to stay with each property when it is sold. If you get to your new-to-you house and the bins are not there, or are the wrong size, homeowners are to contactd the Region for replacement.

[neonjoe]

I really wish the circular materials also had switched to wheelie bins for their switch to biweekly pickup. Now I have 6 blue boxes in my garage, typically we fill 2-3 of them each week.

[westwardloo]

I really wish the circular materials also had switched to wheelie bins for their switch to biweekly pickup. Now I have 6 blue boxes in my garage, typically we fill 2-3 of them each week.

Agreed, They are also doing opposite week to our garbage pick up which is ridiculous. Both garbage and recycling should be the same day every two weeks

[timc]

Agreed, They are also doing opposite week to our garbage pick up which is ridiculous. Both garbage and recycling should be the same day every two weeks

I don't have room to put out garbage, recycling, and green bin (and sometimes yard waste) all at the same time. So I appreciate having garbage and recycling in alternating weeks.

[KevinL]

I already do recycling seldom enough that I would usually only put it out the non-garbage weeks, so this just formalizes my existing habits.

[tomh009]

Agreed, They are also doing opposite week to our garbage pick up which is ridiculous. Both garbage and recycling should be the same day every two weeks

I don't have room to put out garbage, recycling, and green bin (and sometimes yard waste) all at the same time. So I appreciate having garbage and recycling in alternating weeks.

I think this is essentially to be able to more easily balance the workload across the two weeks.

[danbrotherston]

I don't have room to put out garbage, recycling, and green bin (and sometimes yard waste) all at the same time. So I appreciate having garbage and recycling in alternating weeks.

I think this is essentially to be able to more easily balance the workload across the two weeks.

To me it seems reasonable. Here, we have to put out our recycling roughly every week (sometimes twice a week, sometimes skip a week):
 
 * Compost = roughly every other week.
 * Paper = once a month early in the month
 * "PMD" (Plastic, metal, drink cartons)= once a month late in the month.

It's complicated, but it's at least consistent, roughly once a week, one bin to wheel out to the street. Easier than having to wrestle all 3 out once a month. And if you miss that day, you'd be screwed. As is, if you miss a day, meh, you can manage.

And garbage of course is centrally collected.

Honestly, it's the kind of thing that people will complain about any time there is a change, but ultimately there's no real clear winner. Yeah, doing it more frequently sounds like better service, but it's work for us too, and it isn't free. Contrary to popular NIMBY opinion, city workers are entitled to be paid a fair wage, and we have not indeed, "paid enough already" for more service than we are getting today.