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Lessons learned from New Tec collection
by Michelle Minnoch

In the last week of June, the Town of Innisfil is scheduled on Simcoe County's Bulky Item/Metal Item pick up. It may be weeks away, but after witnessing the mess and confusion in New Tecumseth, I though fair warning was in order.

The office for The Scope is on Main Street in Beeton. Over the last few weeks, curbsides were littered with bulky and metal items, just waiting for the trucks from the County to swing by and get rid of their goods.

Bulky Item/Metal Item collection includes an array of items; dryers, washers, dish washers, metal frame beds, BBQ (no propane tanks), empty hot water tanks, etc. Not allowed for collection is auto parts, construction/renovation waste (lumber, sinks, drywall, toilets, doors, kitchen cabinets, windows, etc.), stumps, branches, propane tanks. For more info, go to the County of Simcoe website, www.county.simcoe.on.ca.

There are rules and guidelines set out for the disposal of your goods - what you can and cannot put out to your curb - but generally, if you have up to five items out by your curb at the beginning of the week, you should be taken care of.

Five bulky items and five metal items are allowed. Separate them. They don't play well together.

In Beeton, the pick up was a mess. People not only put out more than five items at their curb, when they ran out of room, they just added items to their neighbours pile. Witnesses have claimed to see people stop at their curb, dump couches and other items, and drive away.

Oh the insanity!!

New Tecumseth also had problems with the company that was contracted by the County to do the work. A councilor was witness to the pick up men counting a love seat and its two cushions as three items! Other councilors fielded calls from angry residents who saw their piles, which were small at the beginning of the week, grow near the end of the week, before the items had yet to be picked up. Let me tell you, the town looked like a bomb had hit it. An absolute mess.

In Essa, each household gets two vouchers per year for the landfill. It's a clearer, simpler way for residents to get rid of their garbage on their own terms.

The week of June 25th is when the Town of Innisfil is having their Bulky/Metal Item collection week. Get your items to the curb on Monday, June 25th, bright and early. Separate your bulky items from your metal items. Check the website in regards to carpet dimensions and CFC items (fridges, stoves, a/c's, dehumidifiers, etc.) - they are not allowed.

Before you start yelling and screaming about this one, remember, CFC items contain Freon, in which a licensed Freon removal technician has to remove the Freon and tag the unit.

It may be a month away. You may not be aware of the 'rules' for bulky collection. After witnessing the mess in New Tec., I thought a warning was a good idea.

You'll be reminded before the big day, but I was always told to be prepared.

So I'm just passing it on.