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New collection system is total overkill

Re: ‘New process another load of bovine excrement’ (Your letters, PQB News , Oct. 3)
18936415_web1_PQN-Letters

Re: ‘New process another load of bovine excrement’ (Your letters, PQB News, Oct. 3)

Like letter-writer Allan Clark I feel that the planned new garbage collection system is total overkill. For years we have been urged to minimize our household garbage by recycling, composting, and trying to cut back on waste. And being concerned citizens we have duly complied.

Then all at once we are to have an automated collection system requiring much larger bins than most households in Qualicum need or currently use—bigger, more cumbersome containers that must be stored somewhere between collections. Automated garbage collection has been used for several decades in many places, and those ugly bins have become a noticeable characteristic of front yards and driveways in many suburbs and villages in England, for instance.

I can’t help wondering why the RDN has suddenly decided to inflict these bins on the communities under its jurisdiction, when it obviously didn’t think we needed them earlier. Apparently neither users’ requirements nor the aesthetics of bins stored in driveways figured largely in the decision. I can only conclude that there must be a financial advantage in it for someone — but for whom?

Certainly not for Qualicum Beach residents, if my latest utility bill is typical. According to an RDN brochure the average annual bill under the new system will be around $175. The bill I just received lists the cost of “solid waste disposal” for the period ending in September as $54.25, which together with the previous bill of $75.95 totals $130.20 for the year. Clearly the purpose of the change is not to provide less expensive service, so one can only ask “Cui bono?”—“Who will benefit?” financially from this unasked-for change?

Elizabeth Marsland

Qualicum Beach