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editorial

One of the mixed blessings of the ’90s may be the job description. Intended to clearly outline the duties and responsibilities that go with a particular position, the job description seems to have been extended to a mind-set for every-day life.

One of the mixed blessings of the ’90s may be the job description. Intended to clearly outline the duties and responsibilities that go with a particular position, the job description seems to have been extended to a mind-set for every-day life. How else to explain the people who leave garbage beside the garbage compactors or recyclable material beside the igloos, rather than in them. There may be occasions where a compactor is full or the hydraulic system is broken down, but such instances are rare. The mounds of garbage left beside the compactors recently shows ignorance and disrespect for the environment, for wildlife and for other people. The problem is particularly acute at this time of year as many people clean house or pack up and leave town. Unfortunately it happens to coincide with the bears’ awakening from hibernation. Responsibility for our garbage does not end as soon as we reach the compactor sites. If a compactor or recycling igloo is full it is not good enough to say you tried and it’s someone else’s problem to empty the container before you can dispose of your garbage. We created the refuse, it’s our responsibility to dispose of it properly. The household recycling system in particular depends on the end user to sort recyclable materials and put them in the proper igloos. Leaving them on the ground is as good as handing them to the bears. Whistler’s recycling program is not all that it could be or will be. The focus on the end user — through the household recycling igloos and tipping fees — does not get to the root of the problem. But that is an issue that requires co-operation from a lot of parties, many of whom are outside Whistler. Locally, individuals taking responsibility for their own actions will help the situation. - locals must watch out for other people's bikes/skis to prevent theft