Be very careful when putting out excess recyclables to the curb for pickup; some trash truck operators seem to be looking for an excuse to not collect it.
We were walking in our Scarborough Bluffs neighbourhood recently when we were startled to spot an empty blue recycling bin laying on its side, with three bags of excess recycling next to it that had not been picked up.
Whoever prepared the bags could get a job wrapping Christmas gifts at a department store. All were filled with cardboard neatly cut into pieces to fit into the bags, with the tops knotted like bows on a gift box.
We know what should and shouldn’t go into blue bins, and how to put out stuff to the curb to make sure it is collected. The bagged bundles appeared to meet the city’s rules, at the very least.
It was so puzzling we took photos and sent them to solid waste management, along with a question: What’s wrong with this picture? Why wasn’t this stuff picked up?
The answer came from Lisa Duncan, Toronto’s director of collection and litter operations: “It appears from the picture that the material did not meet the proper setout requirements.”