Comments on: Garbage stickers: Replacing one bad idea with a really stupid bad idea

By: Kassy Killey

Kassy Killey — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 18:23:45 +0000

There are many ways to successfully implement a pay-as-you-throw program. There are a lot of details (and more coming soon) on http://gwsolutionsgroup.com.

The premise of what Councilman Turner has been talking about would (to my understanding) include universal curbside recycling that would be viewed as “free” and that would be paid for by the property taxes. The $6 fee on the water bill would go away and be replaced by the variable pricing set for Peoria’s program. Ideally through waste reduction and recycling people have the potential to save money. Right now with unlimited garbage pick up, we’re all paying the tab through our taxes. People don’t see the economic incentive with the current model.

As for the valid concerns about illegal dumping, in reality the research shows with education and enforcement, it’s not a problem. Peoria needs to commit to enforcing hard during the first few months, and other cities have found it’s relatively easy to find and fine the illegal dumpers.

According to Bloomington, Indiana (with 29.6% of the population below the poverty line compared to Peoria’s 18.8%) sanitary department, they had some illegal dumping before and still some now, but really nothing changed. I challenge Peoria to take this opportunity to address the current problems in conjunction with PAYT and actually reduce the litter problem.

This is a very viable solution for Peoria, the problem is that the whole story hasn’t been communicated clearly. So, post your questions, concerns and comments on the Global Warming Solutions Group website and we’ll address them and work with the city to include those concerns in their pay-as-you-throw garbage proposal.

By: Mahkno

Mahkno — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 00:43:52 +0000

You can buy a toter like the green ones at Lowe’s, Wal-Mart and other places in the area. The guys picking up the trash don’t care if its green or not.

By: kohlrabi

kohlrabi — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 00:23:43 +0000

Pride in Peoria is Picking Up – had (possibly no longer after Steve Pierz left) an adopt a block program that gave the big green dumpsters away for free if you picked up litter on your block. Four were delivered to my house and I’ve never been billed for them. If/when they start billing, they can have them back.

By: Mary

Mary — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 22:23:15 +0000

A neighbor, because she is prudent with her money, called Waste Management, to ask what the cost was to buy instead of rent a dumpster. She was told they were not for sale. We will all have to pay that $7.50 fee forever. Waste Management is not dumb!

By: Mary

Mary — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 21:22:02 +0000

Kohlrabi – You’re right, I forgot about the dumpster rental. We are paying a lot for “free” garbage pickup.

By: diane

diane — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 20:18:49 +0000

When I moved here I was shocked we didn’t have to hire a sanitation collector. It seems it is a fairly rare scenario to have garbage collection provided free (so to speak) by the city.

By: James

James — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 19:25:03 +0000

In Morton, the waste hauler provides you with one large garbage can and two recycling tubs. You use them but do not own them. Some people choose to use their own (smaller) garbage cans (sticker needed) in addition to the can the garbage service provides. I have known residents to get really “creative” with disassembling large junk items and then hiding the pieces in the garbage can. Breaking up large cardboard boxes to fit in the recycling tubs is time consuming. Is the Morton system a pain? Yes. But for only $11 a month, it is a deal.

It is too bad that Morton residents have to pay the town to haul away landscape rubbish. Curbside pickup of “organic” waste is NOT free. You need to buy special bags and buy stickers. Why should anyone have to pay the town to give them FREE mulch??!? Half of the town of Morton is filled with CRABBY and unfriendly empty nesters that like to mow their yards twice a week and plant flowers up to the sidewalk. Landscape rubbish is a BIG deal in Morton.

It would be nice if all towns could adopt an “amnesty” week twice a year: throw anything out, no matter how large or small, without penalty. Doesn’t East Peoria already do this?