The program began with 10 Orbits set along the TransCanada Highway, but it was an immediate hit and more were soon added to highways around the province.
"The success of the Orbit trash cans … has prompted the province to order 100 more of these unique garbage cans," The Rivers Banner newspaper reported Oct. 14, 1965.
By 1969, there were 120 Orbits, which cost about $150 each, according to the Winnipeg Free Press that year. At its peak in the mid-1970s, the program had about 150.
"The success of the Orbit trash cans … has prompted the province to order 100 more of these unique garbage cans," The Rivers Banner newspaper reported Oct. 14, 1965.
By 1969, there were 120 Orbits, which cost about $150 each, according to the Winnipeg Free Press that year. At its peak in the mid-1970s, the program had about 150.
Instead of being a long term successful program, too many idiots caused too many problems.
Newspapers reported the cans being stuffed with oversized bags of household garbage, the occasional animal carcass, and even bags of sewage, which were blamed on commuters from cottage country. People began to leave old furniture and mattresses next to them as well.
By the late 1980s, there were only about 50 left, as the cost to replace damaged ones had grown to about $900 per unit. After 30 years, the Orbits fell from grace in June 1997 when the program was ended.
By the late 1980s, there were only about 50 left, as the cost to replace damaged ones had grown to about $900 per unit. After 30 years, the Orbits fell from grace in June 1997 when the program was ended.
I fondly recall these whimsically appealing waste receptacles along our major Manitoba highways.
ReplyDeleteThe actions of senseless individuals (morons) led to the curtailment of the imaginative refuse bin project.
A great many of the culprits were non-residents travelling through the province on their way to other jurisdictions.