Re: South Frontenac Wastes an Opportunity

Ed Puszkar | Feb 08, 2017

I would like to address some of the points raised. The “inequality” of waste management tax is no different than any other fee. Does the waterfront property owner expect better snow removal, better policing or better fire protection? Yet, they do pay more in taxes. A 2015 US study from the JPMorgan Chase Institute concluded that consumer spending, hence consumption, does go up with income although it is not linear. With more consumption there will also be a proportional increase in waste; therefore, pay more.

Who says the bag tags are “free”? Yes, we don’t pay for them directly but I have no doubt that the cost of the tags is present in the waste management budget. If we were to pay more for the tags then there should be a corresponding reduction in the budget and taxes – no difference. And since when was the collection of recyclables free? Really?

Who says that clear bags are better? It is a different way of controlling waste but why is it better? Show us the empirical data that demonstrates a reasonable and realistic waste management cost savings as well as an “environmental savings”.

What about the economics of the bags? Who pays the cost of the printed bags? Where are they stored? Who administers the selling and distribution? I hope they aren’t sold at a profit! That’s an additional tax. I bet that the printed bags cost more than the tags.

Controlling waste at one’s own home is fine if the resources are available. Tenants would have a fine time composting, and not everyone can have a burn barrel in their backyard.

I am open to any realistic and comprehensive method of waste management. I don’t think that clear bags are an improvement.