Council should trash new bag proposal

September 02, 2008 04:25 am

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To the editor:

It is my understanding that the City Council will vote tonight on using bags as opposed to stickers for trash collection.

This is not a good idea. Other communities have engaged in single stream recycling (much easier), provided larger containers for recycling (I use three of the small ones, plus newspaper and cardboard recycling). I recycle everything I can and have since recycling began.

The move to bags will, in effect, increase the cost for everyone, increase inappropriate dumping (Gloucester is already a bit trashy) and do nothing to promote recycling. In addition, animals will rip the bags apart creating a nightmare for all.

Surely, there are far better solutions and the city really should be thinking of how to promote recycling rather than to increase trash pickup fees.

I generally put out one barrel of trash as I use 13 gallon kitchen bags. They would then be bagged again (more challenge for decomposition), so this would be two bags of trash for me — or double the cost.

I'm all for more recycling and less trash, but this won't do and will just increase fees and create a mess.

Diane Lapine

Tufts Lane, Gloucester