I eavesdropped the following snippet of conversation whilst waiting for a tram the other day.
‘You should have seen the amount of bottles that chap from No 27 put out for recycling. He must have had quite a party ... or a drinking problem!’
There was a time in Broughton where we would stand at the bus stop chatting casually about the weather. Now we stand at a tram stop discussing the contents of other people's recycling.
What I overheard confirmed one of my worst fears – neighbours do notice what you put out – and it left me with a predicament.
As some of you may be aware, the residents of Bellevue (including me) are undergoing a recycling trial. We no longer put boxes on the kerb, but take them to recycling bins on the streets nearby.
My problem is that, without the fear of missing a collection, I have become quite relaxed about when I take out the recycling to the on-street recycling bins. I can’t miss an uplift, so there’s no rush.
What would the neighbours say?
We didn’t amass our glass mountain out of laziness, it’s just that sometimes Time gets the better of you and you don’t get round to finishing all your tasks.
I like the occasional drink. I can’t speak for Mrs Left-Handed Tea Drinker, but I’m no alcoholic. But if people are discussing neighbours’ drinking problems at the tram stop, then what will my neighbours think when I take part in a ten-minute glass-smashing frenzy in the street in broad daylight?
For the first time in my life, I find myself longing for elasticated rain-proof covers to hide my shame. There was a time when the contents of my recycling bin (several glass bottles and a large quantity of empty pesto jars) was between me and the collections crew. Now the whole neighbourhood is privy.
I don’t want to be tram-stop gossip fodder, but what can I do? Answers in a glass bottle will be accepted. Just don’t expect me to recycle it for you.
Got a view? Tell us at spurtle@hotmail.co.uk and @theSpurtle and Facebook
[All images Creative Commons. Message in a bottle courtesy of http://anysnapshot.com]