Local Garbage Collection Schedule

Local Garbage Collection Schedule, a photo by dtk_guy on Flickr.

Yes, I doubt this type of system would work in Vancouver. Here one separates their garbage into "burnable", "non-burnable", items marked as "pura" (plastic), PET bottles (plastic bottles), recyclable, hazardous and a couple of other categories. Back home I remember seeing all sorts of plastic and other things stuffed in the recyclable paper bin or the metal and glass containers bin. The folks who can't figure out a simple system like that would be likely be very challenged with this system.

One minor quirk: the plastic bags for disposing plastic and PET bottles are the same. But the pick-up days for those items are on different days. So technically speaking one shouldn't be tossing PET bottles in with one's plastic materials. I've made that mistake but luckily the garbage collectors overlooked it.

Another point of interest: The system is partly a "pay as you go" system. "Burnable", "non-burnable" and "Pura/PET" garbage has to be disposed of in officially marked plastic bags. These are sold, at a slight premium in local supermarkets, convenience stores and (I think) grocery stores. Hazardous and recyclable materials can be disposed of on designated days without any official wrappings or seals. But large items must bear a sticker indicating that you've paid for them to be picked up. Those are on sale at convenience stores.

So, as one can see, the system appears bewildering at first glance but you can suss out how it works in short enough order.