21st Century Garbage

Well…it is an exciting day in Timmins today!  It is one of those days where our community begins the process of implementing a monumental shift in the way we do things.  Yup, today is the first day that we get to use our new garbage and recycling bins as provided by the City of Timmins.

So as we make this huge leap into the 21^st century, I was left with a few questions:

Can these bins withstand the bitter cold that we Northerners often get in the winter?  One would expect that City staff did their due diligence and researched how the cold impacted the bins in other areas where the bins are already in use.  However, did they do their research in communities where it gets as bitterly cold as it gets in Northern Ontario.  I offer as an example, the Vancouver Olympic Torch Relay Committee that organized the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay.  The local committee thought these folks, in charge of a multi-million dollar cross-Canada relay, would have done their due diligence and would use equipment that would not freeze in cold weather.  Alas, when they arrived in Timmins with our - 41 weather on January 1^st 2010, the hydraulics on their stage were frozen and, unbeknownst to most in the crowd, our local Torch celebration took place on what was supposed to be a viewing platform for guests and people in wheelchairs.  We were told that they did not expect it to be this cold.  Hmmm, Northern Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan in the middle of January, someone definitely did not do their homework.  All this to say…let’s wait and see if these bins will survive our cold winters!

The second question that came to mind was how maneuverable these bins will be, specifically for older individuals and people with disabilities and especially in the winter.  You have to know that snow and/or ice will build up in and around the wheel wells of theses bins which will make them next to impossible to roll.  I can see it already; Councillor Doody voice cracking, tears welling up in his eyes imploring City staff to find a solution to this problem that could cause injury or health risks to a lot of people he has spoken with.  I for one think that this particular issue will be met head-on by a few industrious young people who will do garbage/recycling bin duty for others in their neighbourhood for a small weekly fee.  See, the City was thinking!! These new bins might very well create a new sub-industry in our community…who needs paper routes!

The third question will be how many of these bins will become the cause of “fender benders or “bin benders” over the winter months?  In the winter, more often than not, most secondary streets in Timmins have no sidewalks and no distinguishable “curbs”.  People will be pretty much placing their bins on the edge of the street, as opposed to garbage bags or small bins which could be place on a snow bank.  On those mornings when the roads are icy, prepare yourself for a new sport…garbage bin bowling!!

All that being said, There are a lot of good people that work for the City and I’m sure they’ve anticipated these issues and they are not as much of a concern as some people in the general public might think.  All the same, it will be fun to watch.