Can't recycle... Can't compost...

[Sinister Shadow]

I just moved, and after calling solid waste management for Toronto was informed that "recycling and green bin services do not exist for residences above retail stores or small apartment complexes".
So I asked if I had any options. Perhaps a designated location I could leave my recycling efforts. Short of going to North York, the answer is no. I am being forced to throw out everything I now use.

Given Toronto's garbage crisis I find this appalling. I don't think I'm unique in living above a storefront. I'm sure a few hundred thousand or so other people in the city live like me. Yet here we all are, back in the 1970's throwing out all our solid waste. This actually sickens me because my options are so few. I'm going hunting tonight for a single family residence that will let me borrow their laneway on recycling day. Or maybe a condo with recycling services that will let me have a key to their recycling boxes. However, I'm sure most people wouldn't even think of going to such lengths.

Disugsting toronto... disgusting.

In other unrelated Toronto ranting. A big up to the TTC. I just spent 2 weeks in San Francisco. Our transit system is a dream compared to theirs.

 

[the gatekeeper]

Wow, that's bad! Maybe a nearby building/business that has those designated recycling dumpsters that you can throw your stuff into? My building has those set up outside that we use. Here I was feeling bad that we don't have the option to use the green bins where I am.

I think when I used to live above a store we'd try to pop our stuff in the garbage cans on the street that have slots for recycling but it was a pain cuz you can only chuck out a few cans at a time.

 

[litespeed]

i don't recycle anything... i don't believe in it.

 

[Wiseman]

just your weekend thread posts.......

 

[philly]

I just moved, and after calling solid waste management for Toronto was informed that "recycling and green bin services do not exist for residences above retail stores or small apartment complexes".
So I asked if I had any options. Perhaps a designated location I could leave my recycling efforts. Short of going to North York, the answer is no. I am being forced to throw out everything I now use.

Given Toronto's garbage crisis I find this appalling. I don't think I'm unique in living above a storefront. I'm sure a few hundred thousand or so other people in the city live like me. Yet here we all are, back in the 1970's throwing out all our solid waste. This actually sickens me because my options are so few. I'm going hunting tonight for a single family residence that will let me borrow their laneway on recycling day. Or maybe a condo with recycling services that will let me have a key to their recycling boxes. However, I'm sure most people wouldn't even think of going to such lengths.

Disugsting toronto... disgusting.

In other unrelated Toronto ranting. A big up to the TTC. I just spent 2 weeks in San Francisco. Our transit system is a dream compared to theirs.

maybe ask the store you live above. they might have a bin you can throw your recycling in.

 

[litespeed]

just your weekend thread posts.......

hardy har har... cunt


you just upset because you're too ugly to get in any of the clubs.

 

[Noodles0]

Guelph is crazy about recycling we got blue, green and white bags we have to separate all of our garbage into. If u get something in the wrong bag the fucking garbage man wont take it so you are left with it for another week!! But its got its benefits I guess.. Its just a pain in the ass sometimes.

 

[I_bRAD]

I used to live above a store... and we had recycling. That was pre-composting time though so no comment on that.

 

[Syntax Error]

recycling doesn't do anything anyways. the energy that it takes to recycle materials isn't worth the return. better to just reduce the amount of waste you have instead of trying to make yourself feel better because you throw stuff into a box once a week.

 

[diablo]

Just burn your garbage...it all turns into air!

 

[littlejon]

actually, the blue box program in ontario is the most sucessful recycling effort in north america.

recycling saves landfill space, and reduces the toxins that are otherwise released and slows down the excavation of new raw materials.

and yes, incineration of garbage is a possible future. sweden has had much success with it, it powers many of its cities. the old concepts of incineration being extremely 'dirty' are outdated.

 

[littlejon]

erm..
and o ya: i live above a storefront as well, but on a corner.
if i turn to the east i can put out my recycling every week.

i think finding a friendly family is your best option sinister, and thank you for trying so hard.

 

[groovespinna]

I just moved from Guelph where there is wet, dry and dry2 sorting. 3 bags.
Im very happy to live here and throw everything into one joyous bag and let mather nature choke on it.
that is all.

but Im all for burning it as soon as home incinerators are commonplace.

 

[miss xylene]

I can sympathize because I recently moved into a new condo building, and they still have to build the second condo building in the lot. It's going to take at least two years for that building to be complete.

Each floor has a garbage chute that has three holes: two for recycling and one for garbage. Until they finish building number two, the chute is really one big all purpose hole. They will not be starting any recycling programs until all the buildings are complete.

This really makes me mad because I am huge big on recycling. I was going to throw my newspapers at the end of the week in the street bins, but you are not suppose to do that. And there is nothing but one of those big industrial garbage bins in the back of my building as well; which is always full! When everyone was moving in, there was mountain piles of cardboard everywere alone.

You would think in a situation like that they would bring a few different bins in the back: one for garbage, one for paper and one for other.... or at least try to do something!!

Two years x how many peoples recycling = a huge shame

 

[lucky1]

I lived above a store on Eglinton. We had reccycling same as the houses. Trash pick up once a week sucks living above a store.. nowhere to put the garbage.. so you kind of need a recycling box...

 

[Cri]

ridiculous!! I hate hearing about stuff like this. Hope someone lets you borrow their blue box!

My conscience gets eaten away at if I ever throw anything out that should be recycled!!

 

[johnc]

recycling is the opiate of the masses.

 

[Mrs. Brick]

its okay recycling is bullshit anyways.

 

[Alita]

vermicomposting may help...

http://www.toronto.ca/compost/withworm.htm

 

[Bumbaclat]

You would think in a situation like that they would bring a few different bins in the back: one for garbage, one for paper and one for other.... or at least try to do something!!

You might think that but I wouldn't. I'd think they would do nothing.... and that's just what happened!

 

[Funzo]

Pretend you're breaking out of prison and all your recyclables are pieces of the prison wall you're digging away. Every day you go to work (or what have you) bring an item and sneak it into a street side recycle container. You can pretend that all the people on the street are fellow inmates or guards and you have to do it without anyone seeing you. You'll have the most fun recycling since the dawn of time

 

[Sinister Shadow]

Even in guelph the same issues exist. My brother lived in an apartment building downtown there that didn't recycle or compost. It's up to the building (as we can see by testimonials above) what garbage services they offer. I think that's lame. These should be by-laws that have to be followed.

In any case. We'll see what my MP says. Plus I'm going to call waste management again and ask if the storefronts in my area have recycling (which I have a feeling they don't).

 

[AdRiaN]

but Im all for burning it as soon as home incinerators are commonplace.

Hobos have been burning garbage for heat for hundreds of years. We have a lot to learn from our ragged friends.

 

[MissBlu]

Sounds quite unfortunate.
I would be surprised if none of the stores have recycling pick up?
My boyfriend lives above a store and they have both garbage and recycling pick up streetside.

This may sound kinda gross, but if you have a compost container, I am sure gardeners would like to take your compost.

 

[Sinister Shadow]

My city councillor writes:

****
Hi Conrad,

Thanks for the note.

Currently recycling and green bin collection is not offered to those on
commercial corridors with night time collection. However, a plan is in
place to offer both green bin and recycling collection to these areas by
the end of the year.

Your concerns are very legitimate, given the garbage issues the City is
facing. Aside from offering the above collection services, the City is
also examining ways to make recycling mandatory for condo and
apartment dwellers. Despite this, many buildings have voluntary
recycling programs in place.

Kyle Rae
City Councillor
****

So that's that. At least for now I guess. I'll try to scam in with someone. I'm glad they're moving towards mandatory regulations on this stuff.