Letter to the editor: City's contradictory recycling policy

The City of Pittsburgh in its latest recycling plan is distributing blue containers to households with the objective of discontinuing use of blue bags laid at the curb. However, it seems flawed.

With the requirement that everything recyclable must be placed in the containers vs. blue bags at the curb, anyone living in a multifamily apartment must share with any other tenants, as only one container is provided to an address. Apartment dwellers who exceed what will fit learn that any extra containers must be purchased.

This policy contradicts the message encouraging recycling.

As renters pay city income tax just like owners, why should renting taxpayers be required to either share a container or purchase their own? In essence, the policy seems to be self-defeating, counterintuitive and half-hearted.

Those disaffected may wish to petition for fairer treatment. However, access to email communication with the mayor’s office or any other city department, in my experience, seems to have vanished, and city websites offering feedback forms are tailored to topics of interest to the city, but not necessarily the resident. The 311 form, for example, neatly misses topics such as “other” that might better catch resident feedback.

Therein lies the dilemma.

John McCartney

Brighton Heights