Privatizing Garbage Collection in Toronto?

Question

I live in Toronto and as we all know, we're facing a Civic Strike.

One of the biggest problems with this is the garbage collection. I've been hearing talk of "Privatizing Garbage Collection" and whether it's the best solution for this strike, (along with outsourcing the union workers).

I was wondering: Can anyone explain garbage privatization? and what are the pros and cons to privatizing garbage collection?

Answer 1

The bottom line is that anything government gets involved in becomes a mess.



The government doesn't have to worry about making a profit, when they lose money they just get it from you.



A private company can't do that.

Answer 2

Privatization means that the city does not employ the workers - they contract a company (pay a bulk sum to said company) and they do the collection.



The pros are:

Cost - Privatization would be cheaper

Lack of unions

Level and quality of service would increase (companies want to maintain contracts)



Cons:



With a city the size of Toronto it would be a nightmare for one company to organize, staff and execute the service.

Answer 3

I used to live in Etobicoke. When they were their own city, they got privatized garbage collection services back in 1995.



Needless to say, they're unaffected by the garbage strike.