Friday, May 31, 2013

Controversy over clear garbage bags...........

I'm in Dufferin County in Ontario and as of June 1st we have a new garbage pick up provider.  One of the changes that they are implementing is that garbage bags have to be see through/clear.  It's to make people recycle more because if you don't recycle and throw out recyclables in your garbage bag they won't pick up your garbage.

Well it seems a lot of people are up in arms about this as they are concerned about privacy.  I must admit I am not 100% happy about the idea of putting "personal" items in a bag for the world to see.  We are allowed a "privacy bag" the size of one grocery store bag to put those "personal" items in.

For us I generally only put out one bag of garbage a week, as I do recycle as much as possible.  So I do see the benefit of this.  Do feel sorry for the garbage men having to "look" at what is in garbage bags though!!

Would it bother you to have clear garbage bags?


9 comments:

Evelyn said...

we have to use clear for recycling which is picked up once a month but regular for the rest. It would bother me if they told me I had to use just clear, not for the privacy issue but for the expense!

Cindy@NorthofWiarton said...

They are carrying it a bit far about the garbage bags; why do we pay taxes? is garbage not included? I really think like you, most people recycle as much as they can.

Jane and Chris said...

The garbage men would see that our garbage is mostly cat litter!
Jane x

Paula said...

Actually, up here in Whitewater Region we have to buy specific yellow garbage bags (with a black W). They will not pick up any other bags. My friend over in Douglas (a hamlet really) doesn't even get curb pick up. She has to lug everything to the dump. We also don't get a 'anything' day like they do in Pembroke. Anything that won't fit in a bag we have to take to the dump (and pay for).

I think clear bags are disgusting and a bit excessive. Last time I checked this was a 'free' country and recycling was voluntary.

Karen said...

I live in Laurentian Valley, in the Ottawa Valley. It's pretty much anything goes here, bags or cans. We have a yellow bin for misc. recycle and blue boxes for paper recycle. Once in awhile, some sort of inspector will open bags at the curb at random to see who is doing what. I know of several neighbours who NEVER put out a recycle bin of any kind. One of these neighbours works for the waste recovery site!

~Carla~ said...

Interesting. I recycle a LOT, so what goes in our garbage is truly whatever won't go into recycling only. I don't think i'd care if they wanted clear bags, if someone REALLY wants to look and see what's in my garbage (gag) feel free. lol!!

Kim said...

We have both recycling as well as the green bin, for food compost. We only end up with one other bag of garbage, and yes I think it would really bother me that all that other stuff was on display.

I use plastic grocery bags to line waste baskets in the house - I guess you couldn't do that any longer. I have fabric grocery bags but still have TONS of plastic from yrs back.

Also, I assume you were given plenty of notice, but we buy huge boxes of green garbage bags, what are you supposed to do with them all now?

Cathy said...

Hello Gill
The Golfer's aunt in Nova Scotia has the equivalent of a 'Pig' Bin' in that they can hand over all their food scraps for recycling. I remember my mother telling me about that sort of thing in England during the war - used for just that - to feed pigs in government run pig farms!
Cathy
Cathy @ Still Waters


Rose said...

I would not like being made to use them...specially as I can get the big green bags cheap. Don't have much to hide. I would recycle if it weren't so costly too. No place here close to drop off stuff. Costs too much gas to take a load to Terre Haute...

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