The MRC Pontiac’s social media page exploded with anger this week when photos were posted showing piles of garbage strewn about a section of the Picanoc Road.
The photos show everything from residential garbage to appliances to commercial waste.
This shows a callous disregard for not only the natural beauty of the Pontiac but also the tax bill of ratepayers.
This cleanup will cost the MRC money. That money will have to come from somewhere – most likely tax bills.
So it’s understandable that so many residents commented on the post and voiced their anger. Some even went so far as to volunteer to sift through the garbage and look for any indicators of who left it there.
But some commented that the culprit for the makeshift dump was the government.
One commenter pointed out that those who perform construction work “under the table” have more of an incentive to illegally dump garbage.
If these people are willing to risk the thousands of dollars in fines for not working with proper accreditation, they’re willing to risk getting caught dumping their garbage wherever they please.
The MRC said in a statement that it used to provide a garbage bin at that location for residents of the non organized territories (TNO). Despite signs being posted that only residential waste would be accepted, non-residential waste kept filling the bin and forced the MRC to close the site in 2017.
Apparently that hasn’t stopped some lazy or cheap people from continuing to toss their trash into the bush.
Another comment on the MRC’s social media page said that some people can’t make it to the dump because they work in the city and can’t drop off their garbage within the operating hours of the transfer stations.
Good news!
On the Clarendon transfer station’s website, it’s clear that the operating hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday and 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday.
Not only that, but Clarendon residents can also drop off garbage at the transfer station after hours by leaving it in the bin just inside the gates.
So the excuse that people who work can’t drop off their garbage during operating hours doesn’t hold much weight.
For those who live in the TNO, it’s more difficult to dispose of their garbage. But, again, that’s part of the trade off with living in remote communities.
Even still, the MRC has made arrangements for folks in the TNO. They can drop off their garbage in Mansfield, Otter Lake or in Rapides des Joachims.
So there are clearly options.
This makes the discovery of the illegal dumping site that much more frustrating.
People have plenty of choice when it comes to waste disposal in the Pontiac.
Is it less convenient than it is in the city? Of course it is, but that’s the trade off with living in the country.
For those that say waste removal costs in the region are too expensive – too bad. That’s the cost of trucking garbage around the province and disposing of it.
It’s about time we take some responsibility for the garbage we generate. If we’re not willing to cut back, we have to pay the price for not changing our behaviour.
So if you’re too cheap or lazy to dispose of your garbage the proper way, don’t be shocked if you’re named and shamed for it.
Chris Lowrey
