By the time you start reading today's edition, phones will be ringing in Halfmoon Bay, Roberts Creek, Elphinstone and West Howe Sound. The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) has hired a social research firm to gather opinion data on the future of recycling in the rural areas that already have garbage collection. The information collected will be used by the SCRD board to decide what changes in recycling are right for the Sunshine Coast.
Respondents will be asked if they'd like to see their recyclables picked up at the curb, and if so, what items they'd like to see included. They'll be asked if they want to go the depot route and what potential attributes, services, level of staffing and items taken they'd like to see there.
Maybe it's a combination of both depots and curbside or maybe it's none of the above. And of course, residents will be asked just how much they are willing to pay for any potential change to services. Lastly, the survey has been designed to be partially open-ended so anyone who takes the call will be able to say why they've given the answers they have.
They're big questions and not everyone has been engaged in the recycling debate, but that's no reason to decline the survey. There are countless tools in everyone's reach to help them make informed decisions.
Coast Reporter ran a massive four-part series Recycle, Redux, Report from May 7 to May 28 that examined recycling from all angles.
The SCRD has mailed out information packages to all homes in the survey areas outlining what is at issue as well as the basics of recycling. The SCRD's education and outreach co-ordinator Julie Clark has also placed a nifty three-and-a-half-minute video on YouTube.com outlining what is at issue. Search for "Sunshine Coast Recycling" to find it.
Whether you think recyclables should be picked up at the curb, dropped off at a depot or buried in the landfill, this is your chance to have your say. Take the time to get informed. Check your back issues of Coast Reporter for the recycling feature. Read the mailout from the SCRD or check the information out on the SCRD website and have a look at the YouTube video.
The survey is designed to be randomized and statistically significant. It should take about five minutes to complete. Ultimately, it's your voice that is going to help shape recycling policy for the future as the SCRD strives to become a zero-waste community.
