Staff
Less than a week after opening up its new recycling compactor to the public, the town already has experienced problems with some people refusing to use it for one reason or another.
Operations and Facilities manager Doug Brown came to work early this morning to find a long line of bags, boxes, and other items stretching the length of the fence at the Sixth Street West recycling depot.
“I don’t know if it’s because people are too lazy or they just don’t understand,” he lamented this morning.
Usage was off to a good start last week, when Public Works staff were on hand during the daytime to show people what to do and hand out pamphlets.
But that all changed over the weekend.
Brown speculated that non-residents dropped their recyclables off—unaware of the new system.
Once one or two people failed to put their items in the hopper and instead left it by the fence, he guessed others simply followed suit.
Items ranged from cardboard boxes to items that are unacceptable, ranging from plastic bags full of recyclables to a plastic cooler and even a TV set.
Brown reminded the public they have to dump out plastic bags full of recyclables—don’t put them in the hopper.
Likewise, electronic waste must be brought to Asselin Transportation and Storage Ltd. on King’s Highway.
“Overall, it’s about getting used to the new system,” said Brown.
“Let’s make sure people are going up the ramp. Put it in the hopper,” he stressed.
“That’s all we’re asking for.”
As reported last week, the big blue bins at the recycling depot have been replaced by a compactor unit.
The public must go up the ramp, open the compactor door (when it’s not activated), dump their recyclables into the compactor, and then stand back and let the door close on its own.
That’s it—the town will do the rest by remote activation.
The types of recyclables accepted remain the same, including paper Christmas gift wrap.
