Editor:

   At a time when the rest of the world is brainstorming about innovative ways to reduce its carbon footprints, it seems that South Portland is mired in an expanding boot print of reactive bureaucracy. I am repeatedly amazed by how simple it is for South Portland residents to bypass existing zoning ordinances in order to build new houses, yet the city council spent numerous hours and taxpayer dollars debating the merits and viability of maintaining a small flock (up to six) of backyard chickens. To date, there are more restrictions and zoning ordinances required in order to obtain a chicken license than there are surrounding new construction permits.  …And South Portland purports itself to be a “Cool Community?” (The Sentry, Aug. 8, 2008).

   On the recycling front, South Portland recently implemented a “new and improved” curbside recycling system, whereby all the old green bins became extinct, and large, pretty blue bins were distributed to all homeowners and apartments or condominiums with a maximum of four units. Notably, this new program eliminated those apartment complexes with more than four units that were actively participating in the curbside recycling program. I currently live in one such complex, and am sorry to report that since July 7, 2008, the contents of the 12 to 15 green bins that were once collected each Monday outside of our building are now going directly into a green dumpster, and straight to our local landfill. This is a travesty.

   After residents and landlords expressed their concern, the city council agreed to host a recycling “workshop,” not unlike the workshops that were staged in 2007 for residents who were interested in legalizing chickens, in order to produce fresh eggs for their families. On Aug. 11, 2008, South Portland’s Mayor, James Soule, presided over the first of several recycling workshops.  Rather than approach the workshop with an open mind, Mayor Soule appeared to be adamantly against creating any sort of venue for recycling by South Portland residents who live in apartment complexes. Responding to the financial implications cited by Mayor Soule, one landlord who was present at the workshop offered to pay for the snazzy new bins. His suggestion was quickly stifled by certain members of the council.  

   As a short-term resident of a 12-unit apartment building, and a homeowner whose taxes just increased (again) significantly this year, I have to ask, “How much more does it cost for a recycling truck to make a stop where it picks up multiple bins than it does for the same truck to pick up one blue bin per stop?” I also wonder how many homeowners (and renters who live in small apartment buildings) are actively using their large blue recycling bins. Is there a plan in place to recycle the blue bins – or offer a rebate to families who don’t want them – so that others can participate in the program?  Has anyone considered offering the maximum number of four  bins currently allotted to the smaller units to the larger units?  These blue bins can hold quite a bit; I know from lugging my neighbors’ recycling over to our house each week.

   Recycling is such a basic part of a greater plan to be stewards of our taxed environment.  I’m not asking to erect a windmill at Bug Light (although that would be great), or install solar panels on all of the city buildings (even better).  I’m simply asking that all residents of South Portland be allowed to enjoy the right to recycle.  If finances are really the problem, let’s work creatively to come up with a solution. 

Heather Robinson

South Portland