Progressive Garbage

In today's Portland Tribune, Toby Van Fleet reports on Metro's plan to place a garbage tax on November's ballot that would fund improvements and restoration of natural areas around the region as well as outdoor school for kids and conservation programs.

The tax increase would amount to between 75 cents and $1.25 per month. The comments section on the web version of the article is dominated by people (all four of them) saying they won't support them thar Democrats' latest tax-and-spend initiative, but Metro polling indicates a majority of voters in the region would support spending less than a cup of coffee per household per month on inarguably worthy green-oriented efforts.

Aside from the money involved, this would also be a progressive tax that, however subtly, encourages people to contribute less garbage and more recyclable refuse. Tax-phobics don't like that either, but I've always approved of pulling the tax strings to help society.

It's funny to put it this way, but while we're on the topic of garbage, what other changes could or should Metro make to garbage and recycling collection? I, for example, would like to be able to leave my food waste at the curb for composting pickup. Either that, or maybe we could all stop composting and recycling and, just for fun, make a new mountain in the Cascades out of our trash.

Comments

[pdx2m2]

I think Metro does plan to change the recycling/trash collection system in 2008..it will involve providing large rolling containers that will allow many of the current items to be combined for recycling. Either in 2008 or 2009 I think they also intend adding food waste for composting to the recycling program.

[Nikos]

I am all for them thar Democrats spending 1.25 dollars a month! from each of us to improve our environment. Republicans have no problem spending 500 BILLION tax dollars and counting in Iraq related misadventures, so they should SHUT UP.

[bob]

Yea, but that 500 billion goes toward killing brown people who tried to take over our oil. How dare they!