Dear Editor,
I am totally confused about the new trash regulations. While I do not wish to pollute the environment, I do wish to dispose of garbage in an efficient and sensible manner. The information provided by Burrtec and the Board of Supervisors leaves me shaking my head. It is totally confusing.
I understand that we have special arrangements for disposing of tires, batteries, and electronic and hazardous waste, but what do we do with the many other things that we are suddenly told not to send out with the trash?
Is Burrtec supplying the color-coded trash barrels? Does this mean that we cannot use our own barrels, and that we cannot put our trash out in bags as we have been doing for many years?
The biggest item missing from the allowed items is food waste. Food waste is not listed as allowed in any of the three barrels that Burrtec plans to provide for us, and it is specifically banned in the green barrel for yard waste. Am I supposed to let it pile up in my house? Toss it into the garden? And then there are no instructions for used paper tissues, napkins and towels. Surely they do not belong in the recycle barrel, since they have food and body fluids in them, but if I put them in the black barrel, will I get fined for putting paper in the black barrel instead of the blue one? Should I pack them up with my food waste and try to figure out how to get rid of it?
Even worse, what about the things that, according to Burrtec, are specifically banned from our trash barrels? In the black barrel, “sharps” are banned, and I have no clue what “sharps” are. Sharp objects such as knives? Someone suggested felt-tipped markers but, if that is so, what about ink pens? They are not listed as allowed or banned. Fluorescent bulbs are not allowed, but which of my light bulbs is fluorescent (probably all of them), and how do I dispose of them properly?
As to the blue barrel for recyclable materials, Burrtec’s chart lists a number of items that are banned. First, we are not allowed to put our recyclables into bags, and I have no idea why not. Can’t they empty a bag as easily as a barrel? Among the items banned is bubble wrap, so maybe it should go into the black barrel, but it is not listed as allowed there. For some reason, pet food bags and pizza boxes are not allowed in the blue barrel, but they do not seem to be allowed in the black barrel, since paper and cardboard are supposed to go in the blue barrel. Do I have to pack them up with my hazardous waste and pay extra to dispose of them? There also seems to be no way to dispose of treated lumber, hoses, mirrors and carpet.
Worst of all, yard waste costs $50 a month if you want it picked up. Otherwise, you have to haul it yourself or pay someone to haul it to a drop-off site.
I foresee yards all over the mountain piling up with all sorts of trash because we have no reasonable way to get rid of it. This will result in considerable fire hazards, as well as pollution of the soil water and air.
I simply do not see how this will improve our lives or our environment.
Sincerely,
Tessa Dick
Crestline
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