In all their wisdom, it seems that Montreal wants to force bi-weekly garbage collection on us. So far, it’s not quite clear if that means that recycling and organic waste pick-up will also switch to bi-weekly collection, but many are not thrilled with the idea. Personally, I think the idea stinks (literally!). In some boroughs, where this is already in place, there are complaints about rats, the stench and the mess.
I know that some other major Canadian cities have been dealing with this for years. So, what are your experiences? Toronto is apparently among the cities that have done this. Toronto is also said to have a rat problem. Could there be some connection?
I am sure that this won’t be without problems. For one thing, pet waste does not qualify as compostable organic waste. That means that some residents will have turds, etc. in their garbage, baking in the sun for two weeks and producing a lovely distinctive odour.
My specific problem is that the “brown bins” (for organic waste) don’t close securely enough. A few times, I had documented evidence of a critter getting in, making the bin fall over and leaving things strewn on the walkway. In a few cases, this led to a bin that was subsequently full of maggots and flies by collection day. They need a better locking mechanism. Also, if organic waste will be moved to bi-weekly pick-up, they will need to issue larger bins.
Then, as the article points out, the majority of people in Montreal are not using the brown bins. A quick look around my area the night before the collection suggests that this is true. Clearly, if, as Ms. Mauger said, people “want to do more to be part of the solution”, they would make the effort to use those bins. In my area, we have had them since Denis Coderre was in (municipal) office. People have had ample time to start composting, if they were so inclined. The fact that they still aren’t doing it suggests that they don’t intend to, and that she is at least a little delusional.
With an election in the not-too-distant future, there are some key questions: will Projet Montréal still be running the show? Will Mauger still be around? Will their potential replacements still press ahead with the changes?
Montreal faces pushback over biweekly trash collection
