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I Am Not Making This Up Department, Pt. XVI
Urban 'binners' test new quieter carts
Last updated Apr 11 2006 11:55 AM PDT
CBC News
People who make their livings diving into garbage cans for bottles and cans in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside are road-testing new binning units that could replace their noisy shopping carts.
The "binners," as they're known, are part of a project run by the non-profit bottle depot United We Can and funded by businesses and foundations.
United We Can manager Ken Lyotier said the new carts hold more than a shopping cart, won't tip over as easily and can even be towed by a cyclist.
"It's a lot quieter for a start than the old shopping cart," Lyotier said.
"It's collapsible, so binners can take it to their rooms after they've done their piece of work." A binner, who identified himself as "Clay," said that sense of ownership is important.
"Cops won't take it. Safeway can't come up to me and say, 'Hey, that's my buggy you took.'"
So far, 11 carts have been built and there are plans to make hundreds more.
Lyotier said, if the idea catches on, United We Can could even open its own manufacturing plant – staffed by former binners.
Former art school student Michael Strutt, who designed the new units, said he got many of his ideas from the binners themselves.
"They're the experts. So I came to them with some ideas and I get them to validate them, and that's how the cart has sort of progressed."
Each cart costs about $300. Each binner is expected to pay part of the cost, either through binning or by selling advertising on the sides of the cart.
I was going to bold or italicize all that I found "wrong" or ironic in this article, but I won't even start.
Last updated Apr 11 2006 11:55 AM PDT
CBC News
People who make their livings diving into garbage cans for bottles and cans in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside are road-testing new binning units that could replace their noisy shopping carts.
The "binners," as they're known, are part of a project run by the non-profit bottle depot United We Can and funded by businesses and foundations.
United We Can manager Ken Lyotier said the new carts hold more than a shopping cart, won't tip over as easily and can even be towed by a cyclist.
"It's a lot quieter for a start than the old shopping cart," Lyotier said.
"It's collapsible, so binners can take it to their rooms after they've done their piece of work." A binner, who identified himself as "Clay," said that sense of ownership is important.
"Cops won't take it. Safeway can't come up to me and say, 'Hey, that's my buggy you took.'"
So far, 11 carts have been built and there are plans to make hundreds more.
Lyotier said, if the idea catches on, United We Can could even open its own manufacturing plant – staffed by former binners.
Former art school student Michael Strutt, who designed the new units, said he got many of his ideas from the binners themselves.
"They're the experts. So I came to them with some ideas and I get them to validate them, and that's how the cart has sort of progressed."
Each cart costs about $300. Each binner is expected to pay part of the cost, either through binning or by selling advertising on the sides of the cart.
I was going to bold or italicize all that I found "wrong" or ironic in this article, but I won't even start.