While we don't feel the current solution is the right answer, we do feel the Waste Management Authority has done its level best to come up with a funding solution for our island waste-elimination needs. But it simply isn't fair.
Forcing someone who sells books to pay a per-pound fee for bringing them into the territory — where few of them will ever make their way to a landfill — is one of the more extreme examples of how the program currently under consideration fails. And we have lost a lot of time trying to figure it all out.
The solution is simple: Everyone pays for the garbage they actually create. The fair solution would be specially made garbage bags, which would have to be purchased either to leave your garbage at bin sites or have it picked up, along with tipping fees at the landfills.
This method has been used very successfully in other areas for years. It fosters a new consciousness about garbage, and encourages composting and crushing of boxes and cartons, as well as recycling. And it's fair.
Unfortunately, WMA seems to feel hamstrung by a few pigs who the authority believes would rather dump their garbage into the bush than pay a small amount for its appropriate disposal.
This sticking point, which constantly stands in the way of a more equitable, less-complicated solution, boils down to this very sad lack of faith in our neighbors.
Because it is apparently believed that a significant number of folks would seek the pig-sty solution (not meant to give pigs a bad name), everyone must suffer.
This is unacceptable, and points not only to our lack of faith in our residents, but also in our enforcement abilities.
The current $1,000 fine for littering would suffice to send a strong message, if it were ever enforced. Enforcement agents could be hired and trained, which creates jobs. Sure, there are going to be problems with this or any solution. But we feel this is the fair one, leaving aside the pigs.
And as for them, we could use the Cost-U-Less method. Not only fine them, but publish their names.
We hope in its deliberations the WMA will remove the pig equation and do what's best for the rest of us. Though the suggestion that it will cost money to pull the trash from the bush is true, it won't cost as much as the potential damage to the rest of us who wouldn't dream of throwing our junk into the bushes, but who must pay an unfair — in some cases egregious — price because of the pigs among us.
Editors note:We welcome and encourage readers to keep the dialogue going by responding to Source commentary. Letters should be e-mailed with name and place of residence to source@viaccess.net.
