Editor:
Re: “Green bin draws first bears,” Oct. 9.
Bears are attracted to garbage and green bins by smell. Whether you put out household garbage mixed with food waste, or whether you separate the two, the risk of a bear going after it remains the same. The advantage of having the two separated is that there is less chance of garbage and plastics ending up in the environment and in the digestive system of the animals.
Yes, we will be seeing bears taking apart the new green bins, but I argue that the rate will be no different than that of them taking apart garbage bins.
It may have not been the wisest choice to launch this service at the time when the bears are at their most hungry, building up fat stores for their hibernation.
Please keep your green bins in a secure location, just like you do your garbage bin. I personally compost all my food waste apart from soiled paper and bones, and keep those in my freezer until the day of pickup.
We need to reduce the impact we are having on our planet, and taking the 40 per cent food waste out of our garbage reduces its GHG impact by roughly 21 times, extends the lifespan of our landfill, and creates a useful product that can then be reused.
This new service will need some adjustment in habits, but it is a necessary step towards a better planet.
Andreas Tize, SCRD Director, Area D (Roberts Creek)
