Trashy Ideas about the Garbage

If you are a resident you already know that the borough has mandated a sticker system to attempt to restrict reduce the amount of garbage produced by residents. I have noticed several shortcomings of this program.

First and foremost, how on earth does this help the borough acheive the state mandate? I cannot see how the implementation of a tax increase, not so cleverly disguised as a sticker system, can acheive the mandate to reduce municipal garbage by 50%. I must say, however, that I agree that those who throw out more should pay more. I also believe that those who use the schools should pay for the schools.

The instructions disseminated by the borough are unclear. Are stickers per bag? Are stickers per pound? Are stickers per gallon? If I put out one 16 gallon bag per week (which I did last week) why am I penalized by being forced to use a sticker intended for a 32 gallon bag? I was looking for things to throw out so I would get my moneys worth out of my sticker. And I still only threw out half of what I was entitled to. Perhaps I should have used half a sticker on that bag. Anyhow, this totally did not decrease the amount I threw out.

I am left wondering why are the businesses on Main Street putting out far more garbage than most residents and appear to be exempt from the sticker program? Should commercial garbage even be picked up with municipal garbage?

Honestly, these simplistic stickers can easily be reproduced on any home computer by your average third grader. This is probably whythe same such sticker system failed ten years ago. Residents paying such high property taxes really resent being treated like a third grader that needs a hall pass to use the bathroom.

Sadly, the borough's response, as usual, is to restrict. There are many other things the borough can do to reduce municipal waste.

- The borough could hold a free4all in the Commons to recycle/rehome usable items and build community.

- The borough could educate residents about recycling.

- The borough could educate residents about purchasing less packaging with their merchandise.

- The borough could educate residents about composting.

But hey, something good comes out of everything, right? I walk past Borough Hall every morning and for the first time EVER I saw recycling put out in front of Borough Hall on Friday.