Why are we adding more bins?
Where does Canada rank when it comes to litter? In 2013, the Conference Board of Canada gave Canada a “C” grade when it came to environmental performance, as Canada was the top producer of garbage per capita among all other countries. Fast-forward to 2019, when USA Today named Canada the world’s top producer of waste. The U.S. — which spends more than $11.5 billion on litter removal annually — came in third place. Canada produces about 36.1 metric tons of waste each year per capita, totaling more than 1.3 billion metric tons of waste annually — roughly 36.1 tonnes per person.
Canada’s waste problem is also costly, as waste management spending increased by 42% from 2008 to 2016. Although Canada has already taken some of the appropriate steps to address environmental concerns, like banning plastic microbeads in toiletries and announcing a single-use plastic ban to take effect within the next two years, there are still ways for Canada to address its litter problem. It starts with commercial trash cans.
Proposal
To seek funds for the purchasing of outdoor recycling bins, government-based grants, corporate sponsorships, private funding, and/or the internal distribution of funding from within the City’s budget could be utilized. On average, recycling bins for outdoor spaces can range from $300 to $1,500 based on the size and sturdiness of the recycling bins.
In terms of the sustainability and longevity of outdoor recycling bins, a steel recycling bin is recommended. The City of Hickory is home to thirteen public parks. Placing recycling bins alongside trash cans in Hickory City Park, the largest park with the greatest public traffic, would serve as a good preliminary trial. If successful, placing additional bins in each city's public park should be a long-term goal for the City.
The City of Hickory’s Department of Field Operations will oversee the collection of recyclables, alongside existing garbage collection, on a regular basis. Contamination of recycling bins with garbage is always a risk. By purchasing closed-top recycling bins of a different color than park trash cans, the chances of contamination will be significantly reduced.
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