The fact that Estevan does not have a good multi-material recycling program remains a major embarrassment to the city.
What might be even more alarming is that after a public meeting last week on recycling, Estevan seems no closer to a recycling program.
Roughly 75 people turned out for Thursday's public meeting in the lobby of Spectra Place and the consensus among them was near unanimous; they are in favour of recycling provided the recycling bins are placed in back alleys, not curbside as the plan currently calls for. In spite of the fact it would actually save them money, the people in attendance were also against moving garbage collection to the front of homes.
It was tough to get a sense at the meeting if the reluctance to a curbside recycling program was simply just a byproduct of the disdain many people have towards the idea of front yard garbage pickup. There is no doubt that was the case with some of the people in attendance who clearly spend too much of their time focused on their garbage.
Whatever the case, there is really no argument that the City of Estevan needs to institute some type of recycling program and just because there is an objection to curbside pickup, that doesn't mean they should throw the proverbial baby out with the bathwater.
To accomplish that goal there will have to be some kind of a compromise from both those who are against the program and the City itself.
As muddled as the picture was after Thursday's meeting, one thing that was obvious is there is not going to be a one size fits all solution.
As some people pointed out at the meeting, there are areas of Estevan where there are so many vehicles along the street there is no room for a recycling bin, let alone the possible addition of a garbage bin.
It will be incumbent upon the City to do the legwork and find out what areas of Estevan are not feasible for curbside pickup and what areas are. It was mentioned at the meeting that the contract as presented was for blanket curbside pickup so the City will also need to work with Regens Disposal to find a solution. It was mentioned at the meeting that because they were the only contractor to submit a bid, the City did not have a pile of leverage. While that might be true, Regens also has to be willing to work with the City and residents for the common good.
As for those vehemently against any form of curbside pickup, they too, are going to have to compromise. If you want recycling and a curbside program is the best way to proceed, then they are going to make something of a sacrifice.
This prevailing argument that the bins belong in the alleys just because is not enough to scrap a potential recycling program.
A comprehensive recycling program for Estevan is well past due. To make it happen, people on both sides of the argument are going to have to work together. We've shown what can happen in our community when all sides pull together towards a common goal. We hope this becomes another positive example.
