Off Topic question for Ontario people

marisa · 12-30-04, 01:57 PM

Hi. This is off topic but I couldn't think of a better way to see what others are paying.

Up until now our garbage removal has been free. We live in a small town of about 35,000 people. Most places around us (Toronto, Barrie etc) have a limit of "free" bags they can put out and then you buy 1 dollar tags for extras.

Our town announced that we will be paying 2 dollars per bag. I (like MANY others) am writing a letter to be sent to a couple people including the local paper and I'd like some comparison rates to include.

What do you pay per bag in Ontario in your town?

Marisa

Vengeance · 12-30-04, 02:04 PM

I live in a small town North of Toronto and we have the Garbage tag rule, I actually find it is pretty good. Our Bylaw says you get 1 free bag or 1 free container of garbage and then anything after that is $1 per bag. The 1 free container is nice because you can buy a big garbage can and then stuff as many bags as possible into that one can and use it as your one container. Other great thing is that large items like couches and chairs and things are also only $1 to remove. All in all I don't mind the system.

marisa · 12-30-04, 02:06 PM

I like the bag rules. I am just not understanding why Barrie and places close to us pay only 1 dollar while we pay 2 dollars in a town thats far smaller. It just seems nuts.

And also in our "system" there is no removal of leaf litter day except once per year for brush. There is also NEVER any couch or furniture pick up. Ever. If you even put a ten inch TV out there, they leave it.

I don't think we pay MORE than most, but I am interested in what others pay for sure.

Marisa

Jeff_Favelle · 12-30-04, 02:07 PM

Even if it was $5 per bag, we'd STILL be undercharged. Just like the REAL cost of gas is like 10x what we're paying.

Double J · 12-30-04, 02:12 PM

I actually find this policy to be counter-productive.

Here is why:

It simply encourages illegal dumping of garbage. If someone has extra garbage every week, and does not want to pay, they will either;

a)throw it in a field, or drop the bag in a river

b) toss their bags into someone elses dumpster

This is really only a money grab in my opinion and does nothing to reduce peoples consumption of various things and production of garbage, which of course is the real problem.

marisa · 12-30-04, 02:20 PM

The best part is our garbage policy aside from the finacial part.

Our garbage men will only take garbage in black bags. Yup. No white, clear, yellow or anything else. If its not in black, its left behind. If you put out brush in a bag, left behind. If the bag is not closed. Left behind. If the bag even looks at the garbage guy funny, left behind.

Grrrrrr!

Marisa

peterm15 · 12-30-04, 02:27 PM

whats everyones max garbage collection... mine is 3 baggs max... but as far as i know you cant add on... so its three bags... they do that to promote recycleing.... oh and garbage collection is only once a week..... some towns in toronto have 2 or 3 collections a week...

marisa · 12-30-04, 02:28 PM

We are allowed 2 bags. Once per week. This is literally impossible with a five member household even WITH compost and recycling.

Marisa

peterm15 · 12-30-04, 02:30 PM

oh and merissa.. i think my guy used to do that too... lol... the one i have now is very leanient...and our recycly guy even neatly puts back our container.... he likes that we sort our recycle in seperate containers... so he doesnt have to... he even said thank you to me one time when i was in the driveway...

clint545 · 12-30-04, 02:35 PM

Marisa, we haven't had to pay for our bags yet in Newmarket, but I'm sure it's in the works. I've heard that in our area they're going to $2 a bag everywhere.
I have to agree with Double J. I grew up in a rural area that had huge illegal dumping and that was 20 years ago, when it was free!!

chameo_liz · 12-30-04, 02:35 PM

the bag tags here are $2.50 ea. as for limits there arent any here that i know of. The guy a couple doors takes advantage of the appartment complexes in the area to get ride of his garbage, always loading his truck up around 9pm and comming back 15 minutes later empty.

Kris

mykee · 12-30-04, 03:01 PM

No cost yet where I live, BUT after driving around the neighbourhood today, (garbage day) and seeing all the crap that people are throwing out after Christmas, I'm pretty sure that the cost per bag deal will be here soon enough. I certainly hope it comes, becaase some people just flat out abuse the no limit rule here. I've driven by some houses that have excess fo 15 LARGE Glad bags in front of their houses!! That's just ridiculous.

CamHanna · 12-30-04, 03:02 PM

I am in a rural area and do not have garbage pick-up. I believe the dump charges $0.50/bag (you have to drive it there). Most people around here burn their garbage and take the ashes to the dump.

marisa · 12-30-04, 03:05 PM

I am going to simply wait for a smart guy with a truck to open up a private pick up business.

It costs two dollars a bag here for them to take it. But less than 50 cents per bag if you take it to the dump. I have taken a large load after a move to the dump, of basic garbage, and it cost less than 30 dollars for a HUGE truck load of tons of bags.

So if you have the time, and a truck, you could make some good money simply charging a dollar to pick up bags for people and then taking them to the dump yourself.

I am also switching substrates. My reptile room puts out two garbages bags per week ALONE. I use paper towel so weekly cleaning is a few rolls in the garbage. I am going to put out for carefresh and hopefully help reduce the waste.

Marisa

Siretsap · 12-30-04, 03:19 PM

We do not have the garbage bag rules yet in Montreal, but am sure it will come shortly. I know some inspectors go through the garbage to check if you do your recycling, and if you don't you get a warning and eventually a fine for not doing the recycling.

We also have the water meter now in some areas (pretty good in my opinion).