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Editorial: Passing the buck

A large sign on the city-owned garbage bin at the south harbour in Powell River states the following: Bins are provided for harbour patron use only. No household garbage accepted.
Powell River south harbour

A large sign on the city-owned garbage bin at the south harbour in Powell River states the following: Bins are provided for harbour patron use only. No household garbage accepted.

It’s pretty clear who the bin at that location is for, so anyone choosing to dump their own household or commercial waste into it knows they are in the wrong, but still choose to take the easy and/or cheap way out rather than dealing with something they generated themselves.

Your garbage is not someone else’s problem.

As for the kitchen sink found by a city worker inside the harbour bin, think about it and make an effort. Was it stainless steel? That does not cost anything to recycle.

Effort is required for removing an unwanted item from your possession, regardless of its makeup. Put it at the end of your driveway with a free sign on it (not forever, a couple days maximum). Try that temporary measure before putting an item that may be of use to someone else in the trash, or contact qathet Regional District’s Let’s Talk Trash team for ideas of where and how to find the right place to take it. If you have to pay, so be it.

Be responsible for what you create with your own purchasing or renovating decisions. Other residents in the community are not responsible for those decisions.

Hazardous waste ends up in the bin on occasion. Disposing of such material is a clear example of “passing the buck” and an obvious disregard for public safety; it can be dangerous for contracted workers who are unaware of the contents while emptying or processing the bin. Is that risk worth it to save a few bucks?

Only a small amount of effort is required to search online for how to properly recycle or dispose of any product, or find a new home for it. For those who do not have a computer, ask a friend or family member for help, it’s that simple.

The problem is not limited to the south harbour. Due to abuse by some area residents who do not wish to pay to dispose of their own garbage, public bins throughout City of Powell River are no longer in abundance. Some businesses have also stepped away from what was supposed to be a convenience for customers, not a dumping ground for individuals seeking to avoid paying for disposal. Actions taken by a few have reduced that convenience, but it only brings home the message to “bring it home,” or find the appropriate final destination.

The laziness involved with these matters is costly to taxpayers and potentially dangerous to employees. Be responsible and take care of your own discarded materials.