The man who answered a call at the municipality from our Reader from Kruszyn was unpleasant, according to her. When she explained that her plastic bin had been stolen during the night, he reportedly replied that she had to deal with the theft herself.

– I learned that I was supposed to look for the thief myself – the Reader says. – During the rest of the conversation, the man also told me that I could buy a bin somewhere, which, according to him, cost about 150 zlotys. I asked whether I could leave the waste in a bag or lease a bin from the new waste collection company. But the official knew nothing about that. I reported the theft to the police. They treated me kindly there. I was invited to give a statement, but the police officer dispelled my hopes that anyone would look for my bin. I also know that a neighbor from my tenement building had such a bin stolen a month earlier, and nobody helped her – she adds.

At the Municipal Office, Joanna Kmita answered the Reader’s questions very competently and courteously. It turned out that the Reader can lease a bin from COM-D Sp. z o.o. of Jawor, which won the tender for waste collection. She can also separate the waste and put it in a transparent bag so that its contents are visible. It will be collected, according to the official’s assurances.

– At present, we are filling the shortages and issuing bins to people who did not previously collect them under an agreement concluded until June 30, 2013 – says Kmita. – From July 1, the legislature imposed on us only the obligation to collect waste. We do not sell bins. It is the homeowner’s responsibility to have bins; they are expensive and must be purchased at the owner’s expense. That is probably why the thefts have begun – the official adds.

There is only one conclusion. You need to guard your own waste bins. And come up with your own solution. The police will not help those who have been robbed, nor will the municipality or the waste collection company.

– In this situation, the best thing is apparently to steal one yourself, because the thief faces no punishment – says the shocked Reader.

The thieves most likely reached the same conclusion. Perhaps marking the bins, signing them, or hiding them in garages would help? Each of these ideas shows how absurd the situation is, but it seems to be the only way out.

(information: G.H.)