03-30-2017, 05:40 PM
(03-30-2017, 11:22 AM)ijmorlan Wrote:(03-30-2017, 11:12 AM)clasher Wrote: The city/region should just mandate all new builds have to sort organics and recycle.
Absolutely. How is this not part of the building code?
Actually we should go a bit further: decide on the refuse categories (probably garbage, recycling, compost). Then make all public trash receptacles match, and use the building code to require all apartment buildings and commercial establishments which provide trash receptacles to do the same. Identify each category with a colour and a symbol, and apply the colour and symbol to the appropriate parts of all receptacles. Also, provide all streams at all locations — don’t have a garbage can here, a recycling bin there, and a compost bin in yet another location. Also use the same symbols to explain Regional garbage pickup, and make sure the categories there match precisely.
This would reduce the mental load involved in proper trash disposal. One would quickly learn which category each item is, and no matter where one needed to get rid of it, it would go in the same-labelled category.
I agree with your points, but there's a few things to consider. Mandating that all builds have organics and recycling really only works for residential properties that have municipal collection. Commercial and ICI developments don't have municipal collection, so the only reason recycling (two stream garbage) collection is mandated is due to Provincial Law. Since many regions/counties (mainly rural) don't even have organics collection it is unlikely the province will require it in the near future.
While all streams at all locations sounds nice, from a cost perspective it just isn't always feasible. I know a number of waste management departments have considered it but it is really only possible in locations where there are high amounts of waste, many locations just aren't generating the weights necessary to justify adding to the collection schedule.