Email sent yesterday,
Wednesday is my trash pick up day. I placed a bag out today that contained cat litter that was tagged as being over the weight limit. This was not the first time this has happened, nor do I believe the last time. The reason, is not because my garbage is over the limit. The reason is because the person picking up my trash, for what ever reason, chooses not to take any bag that is too heavy for him, regardless of actual weight.
Proof being, I weighed my bag this time and it only weighed 39 pounds. Well below the 50 that is allowed.
The last time a bag of similar bag was refused, I was able to call and state my case. I stated then the bag was under the limit, but was left. I was told to split the bag up and leave it out the next day and it would be picked up. It wasn't. I had to have smelly cat litter sit in my basement for another week.
My point is, if you have a fifty pound limit, that I can easily carry out of the basement to the curb, why can't a man who I have personally seen, who weighs more than me at 175lbs take my trash and lift it into the truck?
Furthermore, I personally overheard this man as I was getting ready to exit my house to go to work at 7:45am tell his co-worker not to pick up my bag even though he was capable of doing so.
If the City of Hamilton is unable to find capable sanitation workers, than its time to review their policies. I hope this matter can be cleaned up, I do not like my garbage not to be picked because of a lazy city worker.
Reply, today from: Waste Management - Customer Service,
Thank you for your email.
I am curious as to how you are placing out your cat litter, can you please let me know if you are double bagging the material or are you mixing it in within your bags.I think the issue is more to do with the cat litter than anything.
What we ask is that you spread the cat litter in your bags, and double bag it so that the material is contained. If people put it out single bagged and separate then when the truck crushes the waste the feces, urine etc ends up spraying in their faces and they are breathing in this animal waste.
My email tonight, trying to make sense of this reply.
My litter is always first placed in kitchen bags then placed into two green garbage bags so that the odour is contained. I then sometimes place the bag(s) with my other garbage into a plastic can if it isn't too heavy. Odour has never been a reason given to refuse my garbage, as I said it was erroneously the weight. I work at Hotz Environmental so I'm well aware of the smell of ammonia as well as the precautions that should be taken to avoid getting a face full of it. I've had the same problem with this driver, and each time got a different excuse to why the trash was tagged or just left. The weight is fine and I'm sorry garbage smells. I pay city taxes and expect proper trash pick up, I hope this matter is settled.
Stay tuned to "Kenaz's Blog" because ur-in the bag to know the conclusion(?) of this odourific tale. I'm sorry I'm not very puny.
Later,
Kenaz
