’Our plasticwrapped universe’

Re: Green bin, be gone! June 24.

Mike Bryan’s criticism of the green bin program can only be described as petulant. Let’s say for the sake of argument that Bryan stops using his bin and returns to putting all compostable waste in his garbage can.

What is the one difference between the green bin and a garbage can? You certainly could not call a garbage can raccoon-proof.

If anything, it is far easier to open or knock over than a green bin. So what makes it so appealing? Of course, it is the plastic bags that we place inside the can. Plastic — that wonderful invention that has transformed how we do everything and made the oil companies even richer.

Forget about the fact that it never truly disintegrates, that the Pacific vortex is miles wide, and that companies keep coming up with new ridiculous ways to use it, it will conceal maggots, block odour and keep the bin relatively clean.

Our ancestors who never had the joy of our plasticwrapped universe would be shaking their heads at our squeamishness. Cathy Haley, Ottawa