Editor, The News:
Re: Time to get with garbage pickup (The News, Jan. 25).
We have lived in Maple Ridge for 55 years. We recycle seriously. Our weekly garbage amounts to a bag smaller than a football.
It would be a ridiculous waste of time and resources for a truck to be driven to our house 52 times a year to pick up what can be taken twice a year to the landfill for $20.
Alan and Pat Woodland
Maple Ridge
Filthy streets
Editor, The News:
Re: Time to get with garbage pickup (The News, Jan. 25).
I would like to add my voice to the list of people who would like to have mandatory garbage pickup. I have never walked on such filthy streets as we have here in Maple Ridge.
Maureen Bartels
Maple Ridge
Light years ahead
Editor, The News:
Re: Time to get with garbage pickup (The News, Jan. 25).
I totally agree with Todd Oliver. It is time Maple Ridge has the debate regarding our municipal waste management program. We need to have a holistic, environmental waste management program in our district.
I work in Port Coquitlam, which is light years ahead of us. We need a program and commitment to our citizens to reduce both our carbon footprint and our waste. We need green pick up, waste vision and municipal pick up.
I was very disappointed the council dismissed the discussion before it even started. The recycling society does a great job, but we need a district-wide commitment and program for each and every family. I want our community to be a leader in this area.
Kim Macey
Maple Ridge
Cutting down
Editor, The News:
Re: Time to get with garbage pickup (The News, Jan. 25).
I would vote ‘no’ to municipal garbage pickup.
I take my garbage to the transfer station once every three months for a yearly cost of $40. I manage this by recycling extensively, composting and by separating my non-smelly garbage from my smelly garbage so I end up with one can of stinky stuff to three cans non-stinky.
The argument that it is inefficient to have four different garbage collection trucks roaming the street is not valid as the district is not paying for it. We have more than one courier truck delivering to our neighbourhoods and this is not seen as inefficient.
I know for a fact that when I paid for weekly garbage collection I was much lazier with my recycling – easier to throw away that peanut butter jar than to wash it and put it in the recycling bin.
I do have one suggestion for those who do use weekly garbage collection: share with your neighbours – pay for two cans and each household use one and split the cost.
Maple Ridge should be proud that we are responsible citizens really trying to cut down on our garbage and recycling as much as we can.
Carolyn Campos
Maple Ridge
Same standard
Editor, The News:
Re: Time to get with garbage pickup (The News, Jan. 25).
I found it shocking, coming here from north Burnaby, that garbage collection was not included with weekly recycling, especially with the amount of property taxes we pay.
We recycle 95 per cent of our waste, and only end up with one small bag of garbage a month.
One can a week for pickup would be more than enough for most people.
The cost of going to the transfer station may only cost about $10 per trip, but that is not including your time or cost of fuel.
Get companies to bid on a proposal. Ensure they are professional and reliable. I am proud that our community recycles so heavily and consistently. Now let’s do the same with standard garbage pickup.
L. Shapko
Maple Ridge