It seems to fly in the face of logic. Every week we hear of a new recycling centre, promotion or fundraiser which cries out for hand-me-downs and discarded items. And yet we seem to see more and more piles of junk thrown by the roadsides, 'hidden' in bushes, scattered in lanes - all because of what? Are the people dumping this stuff too busy to take it to the dump or recycling centre? Or do they simply want to avoid any possible costs for disposing it?
Mattresses seem to be the main dumped item. Which makes some sense as there are few places to take mattresses to be recycled. Next seems to be building materials from small renovations, and lastly the ubiquitous black trash bags full of old clothes.
Roxee Forrest of St. Barnabas Church is pleading with folks not to dump trash on their property. We hope her pleas don't fall on deaf ears - but pleas or prayers probably won't stop the thoughtless dumpers.
One thing we'd like to see is stricter enforcement. While there are city bylaws that call for fines, one rarely hears about enforcement - or should we say successful enforcement. Dumpers obviously choose to do their dirty deeds at night, and few witnesses are around. But with more security video cameras about, one would hope there would be more dumpers fined.
Another thing we'd like to see is a big item collection system once a year. Neighbouring cities schedule one day when folks can leave big items - mattresses, TVs, furniture, rugs, kids items, etc. - on the curb to be picked up for free and taken to the dump by the city. New Westminster will come and pick up items by appointment - but it costs.
We don't like to think that good citizens dump their big items in alleys to avoid paying for pickup - but it might make a difference for some people. And the big item curb days in other cities have become treasure hunts for neighbours. Your tawdry old table and chair set may become someone else's shabby chic cottage dining set.
Sure, there's a cost to the city - but there's a big cost to picking up all that illegally dumped stuff as well.
