Editor:
Re: “Most rural residents in favour of curbside recycling: survey,” April 16.
It was with real dismay that I read the Coast Reporter’s coverage on the outcome of the SCRD’s recent survey exploring residents’ appetite for a proposed expanded curbside pickup recycling service. I was among the more than 1,700 people reported to have responded to the survey, and can truly admit to being surprised that 72 per cent were in favour of “receiving and paying for curbside recycling.”
Really? An additional cost to throw away our garbage? A lot of people are a lot worse off than I am, especially with the pandemic having a stark financial impact on so many, and I’d hoped to avoid whining about penury, but I am one of the reported 28 per cent who are not interested. I don’t think it’s a generational divide as implied by Director McMahon, but agree there’s a financial consideration. With the introduction of “green boxes,” I’ve already had an increased expense for kitchen waste bags added to my garbage disposal expenses, and can’t afford more on this particular budget line item. I’m an old and retired single person on a pretty modest and fixed income, with a pension increased per the consumer price index of one per cent for 2021. The cost of living is escalating rapidly – food is expected to be up 6-10 per cent, my equal payment hydro is up 13 per cent, my phone/TV/web package is up 19 per cent, and I maintain an old car and aging home. I currently, happily drive my recyclables to the Gibson depot, and will have to continue to do so since the proposed curbside service excludes so very many recyclable items. I see no benefit to the environment and certainly none to my pocket.
I’m likely not the only one who will be further impoverished by the local governments’ current budgets, and would encourage fiscal restraint at this time and going into an uncertain future – and not added expense for garbage services.
Jane Hopkins, Roberts Creek
