Letter: Regarding Clark County’s new trash-recycling pilot projects:

Sunday, Aug. 26, 2007 | 1:03 a.m.

I moved here from Tucson, Ariz., where the city adopted a controversial trash-recycling plan despite a resounding "no" from the people.

Here is what happened:

1) Two huge bins, we called them "Robbie the Robots," were delivered to the homes (regular trash, recycling) whether you wanted them or not. People began to leave them in front of their houses because they were too big to fit in the garages.

The city and county then passed laws saying the bins could not be seen from the street and you were fined if the trash police could see them. People started parking their cars in the driveways so the bins would fit in the garages. (The local thieves loved it).

2) Not all items can be put in the recycling bin - no cellophane, whole boxes (must be cut up), paper towels, etc. You have now become a mini-recycling company (no pay, of course)!

3) If it is not "in" the trash bin, it will not be picked up (branches, palm fronds and all other large items must be cut-up and put "in" the trash bin.

4) If the bins are not placed correctly on the side of the street facing the right direction, they will not be picked up.

Two weeks of your trash and garbage sitting in your garage in 140-degree heat makes for a "wonderful aroma," just like this idea ... it stinks!

Daniel Culbert,

archive