Monday, June 20, 2011
A trash-filled bay - one more cost of war
49% of trash that ends up in San Francisco Bay comes from fast food restaurants. But here's the kicker: cities are unable to install trash-catching devices in their storm drains, because they can't afford the "whopping" million-dollar cost:
Cities have begun installing storm drain trash-capture devices, but the price tag stretches into the millions, and there are no long-term state or federal funds set aside to assist them.$2 million in three years for one city (to get a start on the problem; obviously the total needed is more). The same amount we pay for a few minutes (or maybe even a few seconds, you do the math) of the unwanted wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Pakistan, and Yemen.
"It's not that we disagree with the requirements, it's just to help us with the fact that we don't have the funding for it," said Matt Fabry, program coordinator for the San Mateo Countywide Water Pollution Prevention Program.
San Jose officials estimate they've spent more than $2 million installing trash-capture devices since 2008, enough to account for trash produced by 895 acres of commercial and retail stores within city limits.
