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eptember 14, 1994 ith the municipal elecâ€" tions coming up, there may be an opportunity to debate userâ€"fee programs to pay for garbage pickâ€"up. Userâ€"pay collection may go long way to reduce garbage ~Userâ€"pay garbage systems all share one feature â€" the more you throw away, the more you pay. This is revolutionary because most municipalities currently pay for waste management out of general tax revenues, and various subsidies such as government grants and tipâ€" ping fees. Because now we pay the same, no matter how many garbage bags we lug out to the curbside, we get the impression that garbage disâ€" posal is magic and free. We, the 5% of the world‘s popuâ€" lation that lives in North America, produce 50% of the world‘s waste. The impression of "free" garbage disposal promotes garbage. Userâ€" pay systems promote reducing, reusing and recycling. They educate people on the true costs of waste, they reduce waste volumes and costs, they extend the lifetimes of landfills. They are fairer to houseâ€" holders who act responsibly as well as the ICI sectors whose corporate taxes often subsidize residential waste collection and disposal. Why should we bother with a userâ€"pay system in Halton when we have a brandâ€"new empty landfill? The new landfill took about 25 years to establish, from beginning proposals to final opening, and it‘s expected life span is about 25 years. That means we should be talking about another new landfill right now unless we take steps to reduce the amount of garbage we throw away. 20% RECYCLABLES Userâ€"pay provides the motivaâ€" tion to take those steps. Vic Lesnicki, Halton Region‘s Manager of Waste Reduction, estimates that 20% of the contents of residential garbage are recyclable materials. If residents had to pay to throw out recyclables, then those materials might end up on the recycling truck, not the garbage truck. Evidence from other jurisdicâ€" tions indicates that illegal dumping or burning do not increase signifiâ€" cantly after userâ€"pay implementaâ€" tion, and that any increases have been temporary. Most Halton resiâ€" dents are sensible and lawâ€"abiding. I don‘t think we have to fear reneâ€" gade garbage bags rampaging Spruce up your wardrobe with a flair of fashion this fall at the first annual Arthritis Society‘s fundraising fashion show, on Sept. 22nd, at the Delta Meadowvale Inn, in Mississauga. Featured at the show will be news media celebrities such as Belinda Hansen and Alisha Kay from CFTO‘s ‘Eye on Toronto‘ and Christine Diakos from CFMT Channel 47. Braemar will be coâ€"ordiâ€" nating the show using models from Carolyn‘s Modeling Agency, and Tuxedo Junction will escort the model‘s during the formal wear segment. Braemar will demonstrate how to coâ€"ordinate a wardrobe using a few garments that can be worn from day to evening wear. Proceeds from this event will go towards continued research and education which will benefit over four million Canadians who are afflicted with Arthritis â€" 60% of which are women. The cost of $35 per person includes luncheon, door prizes, and a raffle draw. TV hosts in Arthritis Society fashion show Call The Arthritis Society at 905â€"897â€"2995 to reserve seats. throuchout the Region If all costs formerly associated with waste management are removed from municipal and regional budgets, then userâ€"pay does not result in double taxation. Userâ€"pay is simply a matter of alterâ€" ing the mechanism for collecting the waste management money, not charging twice for the same service. The key is that municipalities must be careful to dedicate the money received from user fees to waste management services only. NOT DOUBLE TAXATION If all costs formerly associated with waste management are removed from municipal and regional budgets, then userâ€"pay does not result in double taxation. Userâ€"pay is simply a matter of alterâ€" ing the mechanism for collecting the waste management money, not charging twice for the same service. The key is that municipalities must be careful to dedicate the money received from user fees to waste management services only. Some worry that userâ€"pay allows the government to back away from commitments to provide services for the common good. Garbage colâ€" lection is not like schools, or fire department services. Less garbage is positive, less education and fire protection are not. Also, people can control how much garbage they choose to throw away, they can‘t always control whether they will need fire protection. Roads, built with gasoline taxes, are partly financed through userâ€" pay. Telephone, hydro, and water charges are necessary, common serâ€" vices, and each household is held responsible for the amount it uses. Why not garbage collection? It is important to note, though, a full userâ€"pay system would elimiâ€" nate ICI subsidies, increasing the total amount paid by residential waste generators. Because houseâ€" holds would be responsible for the full, true cost, it may be wise to introduce a partial userâ€"pay system and remove the current subsidies over time. It seems the people who scream loudest that userâ€"pay is not "fair" are those who are currently throwâ€" ing out the most garbage, and expecting others to help share in the cost of their wastefulness. Userâ€"pay requires strong politiâ€" cal leadership. Merle Nichols, mayor of the City of Kanata, sucâ€" cessfully led her community to a partial userâ€"pay system and is willâ€" ing to advise others how to do it. She informed Kanata residents about both the positives and negaâ€" tives of userâ€"pay through workâ€" shops, focus groups, open houses, a 24â€"hour response line, shopping centre kiosks ‘and public service announcements. She states, "If you want people to be involved, you have to demonstrate that you‘re lisâ€" tening to them." Whether we have such leaderâ€" ship in Oakville is anybody‘s guess. Oakville won the Recycling Council of Ontario‘s (RCO) Waste Minimization Awards in 1985/86 and 1986/87, but has not won durâ€" ing the tenure of the current mayor. It will be instructive to see if there is any mention of a userâ€"pay residential waste system in Oakville‘s municipal campaigns. Complete proceedings from a oneâ€"day workshop sponsored by RCO on userâ€"pay systems, includâ€" ing a reference guide, are available for $20. Just call 416â€"960â€"0938. Steven Moore is an environâ€" mental consultant with a Masters Degree in Environmental Studies. Earth to Oakville, do you read Bd Wmm o ue STORE HOURS: Mon. Tues. 8:00 A.M.â€"6:00 P.M., Wed. to Fri. 8:00 A.M.â€"9:00 P.M., Satruday 9:00 A.M.â€"6:00 P.M., Sunday 11:00 A.M.â€"5:00 P.M. *The Color Magic® and Pattern Magic® Systems are available at this store. Choose from 1000‘s of patterns in all the latest books. *Mfg. suggested book price. Matching fabric/accessories not included. Store books only THE OAKVILLE BEAVER 510 Speers Rd. 845â€"0848 Autism group Designer. Fashions Reg. up to +180 NOW 1 1| PRICES â€" *1./i S M LV MoST ITEMS JUST DESIGNER FASHIONS ToAFAMCAR VLLACE i g44â€"5361 \ The newly formed Halton chapter of the Autism Society Ontario holds a general meeting next Monday, Sept. 19th at the Singleton Education Centre (Halton Board of Education building on Guelph Line, Burlington), Halton Room, at 7:30 p.m. For information, call Stu Thomas. 905â€"845â€"8740; or Chuck and Sandra Learn, 905â€"332â€"9764. 70 3105 Dundas St. W. 828â€"7070 Including the latest patterns and newest styles. *Mfg. suggested book price. Patterns may vary from those shown Gpgoe pur@kflse 4 *Del Mar Custom Blinds Suggested Retail Price. Toppers not included SWEEP â€"SALE DAYS LEFT SAVE Selection of Early Fall Stook Single Roll OFF