Greg Duncan

His previous columns are archived HERE.

GREG DUNCAN

A 'Sea of Blue' arrives in our neighborhood

The green landscape across Quebec suburbs has changed hues overnight. Carefully manicured lawns, and beautiful homes and driveways are now adorned with new visitors to the neighborhood. The problem is that these houseguests are here to stay and they occupy substantial space.

In some cases their presence may prompt a renovation permit so as to make way for a clear path to the backyard where hopefully they will reside eventually. For now, it appears that most are comfortable living out front until owners can adjust for these uninvited arrivals.

In a province that already struggles with reasonable accommodation, at first glance these demands seem unreasonable.

A sea of blue plastic now visually blights pretty streets in established neighborhoods at every turn. Welcome the large blue recycling bin on wheels to Quebec communities.

As dedicated recyclers, we have been diligent in our weekly ritual of collection of appropriate material for our suddenly out-of-date blue box. Like so many computers, it has become passé before its time and we are now concerned for its destiny.

It's not as if our old trusty blue box crashed, after all. It's as low tech as you get. No bells and whistles, but oh so functional, and very 'green' despite its color and lack of fashion sense.

We have become accustomed to putting it out each Thursday morning without fail and listening for the loud rumble and grumble of the truck as it comes up the street. We often wonder if the spewing noxious diesel fumes and noise pollution is worth it.

We also question why we sort its contents according to municipal directive only to witness the collectors toss the whole mess in one fell swoop without attention to the previously sorted. Gone are the efforts of bundling, washing. and careful arrangement as a hurried launch of the blue box often results in haphazard spills that end up in the street. As is customary, we pick theses residuals up to recycle another day.

Why they accept milk cartons one week and not another is questionable too. We do understand the refusal of grandma's pottery projects and nasty pizza boxes but never understand why we cannot recycle window glass.

Is this not the same glass that is used for bottles we wonder? Is the devil in the glazing or are we just ignorant of the many dos and don'ts?

We love our traditional 64-litre blue box and it has become a part of our family. It has its own place on the back porch and has witnessed many barbecues and outdoor activities. If it could speak it would recant all manner of family secrets.

From birthday cakes on the deck to the arrival of a new puppy that regularly sniffed its contents, to late night candlelit parties, it happily accepted eight wine bottles at once with a good dozen newspapers and sundry soup and tomato cans without so much as a peep.

With the arrival of MRC approved and taxpayer financed blue giants, our family is encumbered and confused. No amount of consultation of the accompanying documents delivered alongside can actually explain why there is a need for a family of two to possess one of these 360 litre creatures and we wonder what single apartment dwellers can possibly do with these acquisitions.

As reasonably fit as we are, we may need our own truck to move it. One wonders how seniors will possibly manage particularly in icy winter. Would it not have been more appropriate to educate the populace further as to recycling benefits and simply distribute additional boxes if needed that actually fit through a side gate and are ergonomic?

We suspect initially that contract and labor issues are at play and that well-meaning municipalities are pressured to meet quotas and provide assurances that recycling can be profitable.

It's great to strive to meet environmental targets but at what cost? New trucks with auto lifters may save the backs of workers and increased volume capacity may seem like a good idea but more than likely the average family will not suddenly adjust their habits to reduce landfill and garbage.

The answer lies in the wide promotion of green practices and not in the sizing of the boxes themselves, I think.

So, we say goodbye for now to our trusty and reliable friend and try to hold hands with our new acquaintance as big as she is. Not sure where she will live just yet so for now she joins the other tall blue soldiers lined up at every driveway along our once beautiful street.

Can you say visual pollution?