re: blue barrels

While I agree with you that it does seem logical to pick up the recycling barrels in the alley, there is a good reason that the city does not do this. The reason is that the barrels are contanimated with yard waste and other non-recyclable materials if they are left in the alleys, as lazy or inconsiderate people use them for dumping trash into. Perhaps a better solution would be to actually talk to the people on your street and ask them not to park there on the recycling day. I know it is not as fun as bitching to the city or refusing to participate in the recycling effort, but it might be more effective.

By SKA

blue barrels remain an isssue

Good afternoon SKA,

Almost missed the response. Thank you for your comments, they were interesting although I remain confused as to why the blue barrels requires pick-up in the streets and not in the alley. Can?’t these barrels be contaminated in the street (and they are) as well as in the alley? The issue is where the blue barrels are picked up, not contamination. Besides, why should a whole neighborhood and our visitors be inconvenienced for the possible inconsiderate act of a few? May be the city needs to do a better job educating the citizens about recycling and the purpose of the blue barrels.

I didn?’t bring up the issue because I personally think its fun. One voice the city does not hear but many voices brings attention and possible action. I wanted to talk to the residents in the Willo not just on my street to see if they felt as I do, that the blue barrel pick-up should be in the alley. Apparently not many are interested in the subject.


By e.t. dahl

Blue (Ugh!) Barrels

e.t.dahl & SKA - I live on Windsor & our major problem with the Blue Barrel pick-up (besides the inconvenience) is the contents being strewn across our front yards when they are picked up. We call, one neighbor even followed the truck & put one blocks fall-out in a box & called the city....they sent out a special truck to pick up his box!!! I've been told the ''contamination tale'' and in the same breath had the City employee suggest that if we closed our alley, then both barrels would be collected in front of the house!!!! I wrote extensive letters when this started re other cities recycle programs. These blue barrels cost many times more than the two ''bottle crates'' used by more cost caring cities. I have even questioned ''who did the cities buy these barrels from and what is the relationship?''...and asked if the party did not also sell the smaller & much cheaper crates. I feel these blue barrels are like the Big Bob parking garage.... Just another way for someone to gain ''points'' at taxpayer expense. John Winter tried to do something about them & had the same luck the rest of us have. He even formed a committee to get rid of them. Oh, another city employee told me that if they were in the alley then the homeless would ''steal the cities property & sell it at a recycle center''. I made some crack about taking my cans back and doing the same. This earned me a lecture on how the cans were City of Phoenix property once they were put into the almighty blue barrel and I could be prosecuted! The only money trail I see here is initial sale of these poorly made blue barrels.