Good news for Coons

I heard about the city's plan for Kingstonians having to buy tags for every garbage bags or even using clear garbage bags with the goal of increasing recycling bins and decreasing the amount of trash that goes to the landfill.

First, the tags seem like a great idea. Although, not very popular with taxpayers, already dealing with consecutive increases and aimless public spending, the use of 'a tag for a bag' will make people think before they dispose of something, weather it is recyclable, compostable or pure trash. Unfortunately, I am afraid that this measure would lead to more illegal littering, public cans filling, backyard dumping and neighbor abusing...

Clear plastic bags hopefully will shame people of their garbage contents because the neighbors will be able to see. The garbage men will also determine if you have some recyclables and refuse to collect. Racoons are the one who will benefit the most from the see-through bags because they will be able to go from one free buffet to another without having to rip the containers open.

These measures would have a terrible impact in the ghetto where garbage collection is like an open air litter box. Already, uncollected bags sit on the curb for an extra seven days to the delight of racoons, squirrels and cats. Who wants more night bandits?

Here in South Dublin County, we have three 140 L garbage cans on wheels: black, brown and green. Each is equipped with a bar code specific to the home address.

Also, we have a garbage card that we have to fill up with credits: a pay per lift fee, if you will. You can top up by telephone, online at the Postal Office or any of PayZone outlet at your local shop, which is basically grocery stores and shopping malls.

The Black can is for trash. You can have it emptied every other week if you roll it to the curb and if you have enough credit on your card. It costs more per lift because the contents go to the landfill.

The Brown can is for organic materials, such as table scraps and grass clippings. It is suggested that you wrap the scraps in newspaper in order to absorb water and keep the bin 'clean'. The truck comes every other week, alternating with the trash collection. It was free, but as of August, there will be a fee per lift, cheaper than the black one.

The Green can is for recyclables: paper, plastic, metal, but no glass. Almost all the wrapping and containers here are made to be thrown in the recycling bin. Almost everything is recyclable, if clean. Glass needs to be brought to a communal site where domes are fed clear, brown or green glass. These are conveniently found at parks, churches and grocery stores.

There is very little garbage at the end of the process that makes it into the black garbage can.

If the objective is to reduce waste, perhaps, we should be allowed to raise pigs in our backyards? What do you think Mike?