Guelph Enviro Solutions
by admin on Aug.17, 2011, under ENVIRONMENT, GUELPH, POLITICS, RANDOM THOUGHTS
Yes, I know I am not shy about sharing my beefs with City Hall, but I also like to offer and discuss possible solutions. Yes, I am against the City of Guelph giving people tax funded rebates to replace their large tank toilets. My main complaint is that I don’t believe people are or should be motivated by a city rebate to throw their old toilet into the landfill. Motivation should come from the desire to reduce their water consumption to help out the environment and their wallet. Much to wife’s chagrin, I will tell you that we have an old, giant tank toilet. Years ago, my water guilt took over and I placed a large inflated water bag in the tank to greatly reduce the amount of water required for the toilet to properly operate.
If the City is hell bent on spending money on conservation initiatives it would seem providing a free water tank displacement bag would be a much cheaper way of reducing water use. It also will stop perfectly good toilets from being needlessly thrown into landfills.
Recently, I tweeted about my displeasure that my child’s diapers are now going to be picked up once every two weeks starting in September 2011. This is unacceptable. I understand the desire from the City to avoid diapers and other sanitary products from “contaminating” the compost found in green bags. But leaving residents to hold soiled diapers for two weeks is unfair. If you think I am whiner on this – then you hold on to my diaper bags during the heat of the summer. All this plan is going to do is cause more illegal dumping that nobody wants.
If sanitary products can be bagged separately from bio-degradable waste at source, surely the garbage trucks could be fitted to accommodate. Otherwise weekly clear pick up outside the winter months will be required.
Yes, my accommodation could cost more, but the City could use the money saved from scrapping its rebate program. I don’t have all the answers, but either does City Hall, so let’s hear some of your cost effective solutions.
Remember, it takes engaged citizens to make a city great. 
