I recently moved back to Nelson, having left here in 1989. It seems to me that there has been little progress made since that time in the area of recycling.
I am surprised to find that Nelson, a city that prides itself on environmental health and wealth, does not have a commitment to developing an organized system for collecting or dropping off articles for recycling.
We in British Columbia like to criticize Alberta for its disregard to the environment, but consider the system for recycling in Edmonton:
1. All containers used for drinking any liquid are refundable at bottle depots, and are all used for creating other usable plastic products.
2. There are several bins throughout the city where one can bring other items for recycling: plastic containers, paper, cardboard, etc.
3. Several eco centres are scattered throughout the city where one can bring all other scrap materials: light bulbs, batteries, electronics, appliances, scrap metal and wood.
Each bottle depot or eco center is clean and organized and employs several people who seem happy to provide a useful service. The website for the City of Edmonton clearly outlines where to take various used articles, including used furniture and clothing. It also provides information about who will pick up articles and at what cost.
Vancouver has recently instigated a system for composting kitchen garbage as well as curb pick-up for recyclables.
What is Nelson doing about the environment?
Perhaps most articles can be recycled in Nelson, but it requires driving around from place to place and painstakingly finding out where to take items.
The bottle depot and recycling centre each employ only one worker and are not very organized or clean.
If the City of Nelson wants to take a leadership role in regards to the environment, we need to examine what other cities are doing and take steps to improve the present system.
Judy Smith
Nelson