New garbage, recycling bins, coming to Toronto
Last Updated: Wednesday, May 14, 2008 | 8:40 AM ET
CBC News
The way Torontonians throw out their garbage and recycling is changing fast.
First it was the blue box. Now there's the blue bin and the green bin and the grey bin. But not everyone seems sold.
At an information session on the new grey garbage bins, resident Nadia Kelly was livid.
"You people are ruining the city," she said.
She calls the new grey bins "ugly clutter" and said many front porches just don't have room for them.
"Some people don't have the space. I was talking to my daughter's neighbour today. They said, 'We don't have the space — to get through to the living room,'" said Kelly.
In spite of the complaints, homeowners will have to find a place for all three: green, blue and grey bins.
Very soon homeowners will receive their grey bin and they will pay for it, with the price varying, depending on which size they need.
But paying for garbage bins worries another resident, Mary Anna Baxter, who thinks people will take the small bin and get rid of the rest in parks.
"They have to control the other side, the illegal dumping. That's my concern. I see a lot of illegal dumping in the park," said Baxter.
Rob Orpin, who is in charge of garbage collection for the city, said he knows illegal dumping happens but he warns enforcement will be stepped up once the grey bin is in service.
"If people think they're going to save a few dollars and want to risk illegally dumping in a park, which is a $350 fine, I would say they're quite foolish," said Orpin.
Grey bin garbage pickup will start this fall.
Orpin also said a few homes will be allowed to continue with bags, but very few.
"We recognize it doesn't work for everybody, but the program is very successful. It works for the vast majority of the people," he said.
Orpin also wants people to keep sight of the overall objective, which is to get the city recycling 70 per cent of its garbage.
