June 19, 2006
Winning And Losing The War On MegaBins, All At Once.
Torontonians won a hard-fought battle against MegaBins months ago. But it's not over just yet, because many of the MegaBins - like this overflowing one outside of Chester Station - are still on our streets, and will be for some time.
A month and a half ago, the city works committee determined that MegaBins were unsuccessful, and rejected Eucan's proposal to extend their stranglehold on our city's garbage and recycling containers past 2008, when their contract is set to expire. More information on that decision is available via Spacing.
The committee's findings are bittersweet: sure, someone finally stepped up to accept that the bins were always terrible, but the products of a "three month pilot project" are still going to be here for two more years. There's no other job (well, other than politics) where you're allowed to fail miserably during a probationary period and continue, exactly as before, for years after.
So, until 2008, enjoy! Torontoist is off to try a three month pilot project with the CSA, making a rocket out of 100% recycled paper. It's about time space travel became environmentally friendly.
|
Thats's only about three-quarters of the story. Councillors Davis made a motion at Council last month that would allow all councillors who want the bins removed from their wards to be able to make such requests. This motion will likely come up for a vote next week, and she needs the backing of at least twenty-two other councillors. Help make sure she has it! From the Toronto Public Space Committee's June newsletter: "Some councillors who participated in the pilot did so because they hated the bins and wanted to prove they didn't work. Others who were originally supporters of the bins have seen the light since the test. City Staff have recognized that these bins don't work. They overflow, they block pedestrian traffic, and they have abysmal recycling rates. Let's get rid of them! Please take a minute before [Tuesday, June 27] to write to your city councillor to request that all Eucan bins be removed from our streets! Find their addresses here: http://www.publicspace.ca/monsteremail.htm"