Hi
guys,
Have you seen these bins? They're hideous and covered in
giant advertising posters promoting the latest disposable
product. Doesn't that go against the recycling mandate?
Also,
if you notice, the bins are designed so that the focus is
not on garbage and recycling collection. The main purpose
of these bins is to create more real estate for corporate
advertisers to lease. If this wasn't the case, do you really
think the ads would be that size? Look at where the slots
for dumping your waste have been positioned. If the focus
was on recycling and being responsible with your garbage,
the ads would be half the height and the holes would not
be stacked, in a tiny 1 1/2" corner (approx width as
I have not actually measured them). These "bins"
look more like giant poster towers than garbage and recycling
cans.
And
why do we need to cover every surface in the city with giant
million dollar advertising campaigns giving corporations
and
multi-nationals more power? Is this really the only solution
to creating new revenue for the city?
I've
told the city what I think about these bins. I'm including
my responses so you can see them, too, if you're interested.
If you feel like it, you can respond here: http://www.toronto.ca/garbage/bintest.htm
http://wx.toronto.ca/inter/wes/eucan_survey.nsf/Survey?OpenForm
Willow
Dawson
Toronto,
ON.
August
11, 2005.
"New
Garbage & Recycling Bin Survey"
re: Proposal for new Eucan advertising bins.
1.
Have you used one of the newly designed garbage/recycling
bins (7’ high x 5’ wide x 2’ deep) that are
located across the City?
-No.
If
yes, please indicate the bin’s approximate location
(e.g. Bathurst & College):
-I
have seen one at the South East corner of Christie Pitts
Park and it is right in the middle of the walkway.
2.
Was the bin practical and easy to use? For example, were
the openings for garbage and recyclables at the right height
and easy to understand?
-No.
Please
explain:
-The
huge ads completely take over and provide needless and ridiculous
distractions that take away from the purpose of the bins.
I had no idea they were for garbage and recycling until
I actuallly went up to them and inspected. I only realized
what they were when I got close and read the signs. Good
design means you don't have to explain to people where things
go. Garbage and recycle bins should be intuitive, not fancy
and full of needless distractions. As for #3 below, I am
aware that garbage and recycling is collected at both ends,
but that was certainly not obvious to me at first.
3.
Are you aware that garbage, recyclables and cigarette butts
are collected at both ends of the bin?
-Yes.
4.
Please tell us your thoughts on the way the newly designed
garbage/recycling bins are positioned on the sidewalk:
-The
bin at Christie Pitts is in the way, and it's hideous. It
does not make for a nice entrance into the park.
P.1
5.
Are you in favour of the City installing these newly designed
garbage/recycling bins with advertising if it meant that
the City would receive these bins for free and receive increased
revenue from the sale of commercial advertising space?
-No.
Please
explain
-Advertising
has become nothing but hideous visual and physical pollution,
and is detrimental to the wellbeing of our society and culture.
It has completely taken over the landscape and I am not
convinced that adding more huge ads will make for a better
city. For the most part, advertising does not encourage
community, responsibility, or taking care of our earth.
Isn't the point to create less garbage so we can reduce
landfills ie: trips to Michigan? What happened to the motto
"reduce, reuse, recycle"? That's not what your ads on these
bins will be telling us. Giant plastic and non-recycled
paper posters promoting the latest disposable product on
a recycle bin is clearly a mixed message. I'm sure there
are other ways for the city of Toronto to make revenue and
encourage people to recycle that do not include creating
more garbage while preying on ours and our childrens insecurities.
6.
Do you have any additional comments or suggestions regarding
the newly designed garbage/recycling bins?
-I
do not support this project.
he