Recycling money or throwing it away

Huge ugly "recycling containers" have suddenly appeared all over Long Beach. They often take up precious sidewalk space. Please read the comments about their dangers in a previous post here:
http://longbeach.patch.com/groups/opinion/p/7cd32870-8843-4ae6-aee3-325390a1cb17

I guessed these big sheet-metal things might cost $1000 each. Wrong: more like $2000. It took me a long time to find them on the web because there are so many similar products that are cheaper, safer (durable plastic), easier to use and more attractive. Some are as simple as 3 different-color garbage cans for different items.

The one Long Beach has  selected is unique because it's the only one designed to have large ads displayed on the sides. Very tacky, besides everything else. Being "powdered paint" finish they should get scratched up pretty quickly, especially the slot for cans.

On the other thread, Eddie notes the problems that will be caused because these things need a key to unlock them before opening. jv points out the danger of metal containers as potential "shrapnel."

Once again, an amazingly dumb wasteful decision made by some unknown bureaucrat. Big ads on every block will certainly not add to the beauty of Long Beach, despite the decorative filigrees on these containers to make them look like "antique" recycling bins.

The bins have slots for paper, cans, and garbage. Emptying these things could take hours of overtime- unless the City has made a sweetheart deal with some for-profit recycling company.

Just to add insult to injury, the containers are made in Canada, not the US.

More to follow...

Links:
Manufacturer (check the "gallery") - http://www.envyrozone.com/hazelton-three/

One of several distributors-http://www.bindoctor.com/product.php?id_product=145