This is the view from the left hand of the three windows in our lounge. It looks out onto the car park with the garbage shed bang in the centre. I can sit next to the window and peer through the slatted window blinds, discreetly surveying the comings and goings of the blocks residents. It is an ideal perch for spying. Which is exactly what I have been doing. I know what you’re thinking, but Jesus, gimme a break. This is lockdown. I have exhausted every other potential indoor pastime.
Anyway, one of the neighbours has been misbehaving in the garbage shed. What can one do in a garbage shed that is so wrong that it is worthy of my beady eye? Again, I know what you’re thinking and it’s not that. I’m a spy, not a Peeping Tom, thank you very much. I’ll let you in on the terrible problem here. Someone has not been paying attention to the instructions on what can and cannot be recycled.
There’s a comprehensive list as to what should be put in the brown recycling bin, and what should not. It’s not the first time that we’ve had someone disobeying the rules. And when someone disobeys the rules, someone must bring this to their attention and ensure that they are properly trained so that they can amend their mistreat behaviour. I’ve added posters to the communal board before now. So has Ms Panty Lady at No. 10. Indeed, we’ve had quite the discussion on how to approach this matter.
The current offender is dumping carrier bags of empty beer cans into the recycling bin. The beer cans are fine. The carrier bags are not. When the bin men come every other Tuesday with their big bin truck to take away the contents of the recycling bin, they’ll open the lid to check the contents. And if they spy prohibited materials inside, they’ll not empty it. They’ll leave a sticker on the bin advising that the non recyclable items must be removed.
We’ll be left with a full bin for two more weeks with nowhere to put out recyclables, other than the normal trash bin. And guess who is the only one that will then sift through the bin to remove the offending items? Yes, that will be yours truly. It’s jolly annoying. Luckily, I have so far prevented an aborted collection by quickly checking the bin on Monday evenings.
I don’t yet know who the offender is. I know that it won’t be Nos 3, 5, 6, 10, 11 or 12. If I had to guess, I’d say it’s No 2. Actually, I’m pretty sure that it’s No 2. Let’s be honest, whenever I write a post on the neighbours, it’s number bloody 2, isn’t it? I base this on sturdier evidence that continuity though. From my spare bedroom, I can see into the lounge of No 2, and what I can usually see is a table covered in beer cans. But one cannot start throwing around accusations without proper evidence.
Naturally, when I finally do catch the culprit, I will be confronting them immediately popping a note into their letter box and demanding anonymously requesting that they start acting in a more responsible and considerate manner. Detailed instructions on the correct use of the bins will be supplied. And further wrong doing will be reported to both the landlord (won’t give a shit because he’s more worried about the unpaid rent) and letting agent in a strongly worded letter (pointless as they just tell the landlord, who won’t give a shit because he’s more worried about the unpaid rent) really unfair on the rest of us rule abiding residents.
Ok. That’s off my chest. What do you think? And who wants me as a neighbour?!
The Mexile 