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w at er lo oc hr on ic le .c a W at er lo o C hr on ic le | T hu rs da y, M ay 19 ,2 02 2 | 10 Paper and Plastic Bags www.regionofwaterloo.ca/waste 519-575-4400 TTY 519-575-4608 RECYCLE ONLY these plastic bags and outer wrap Space provided through a partnership between industry and Ontario municipalities to support waste diversion programs. Recycle ONLY these plastic bags Not all plastic bags can be recycled. Only these plastic bags can be recycled. • Bread bags • Garden bags (mulch, soil) • Milk bags (outer and inner), rinsed • Newspaper bags • Retail store bags, grocery bags • Salt bags (softener, driveway) • Outer wrap such as from toilet paper and beverage cases NO other plastic bags are accepted • No vegetable or fruit bags (fresh, frozen, produce bags), no zippered bags, no pouch bottom bags, no chip bag or snack bags How to recycle: Empty, tie loose bags into one bag and put into the Paper and Plastic Bag Blue Box. Not sure? Ask the Waste Whiz. Download the Waste Whiz app or check on our website. Spring is synonymous with rebirth. Each spring, flowers begin to bloom again, grass starts to grow and people from all walks of life rekindle their love affair with the great outdoors. Spring also marks the return of a familiar foe: allergies. Seasonal allergies can put a damper on even the most welcoming spring day. After all, a day soaking up the sun isn't so relax- ing when it's also spent sneezing and confronting allergy symptoms like congestion, runny nose and watery eyes. Thankfully, it's possible for seasonal allergy sufferers to have their spring and enjoy it, too. • Pay attention to seasonal allergy trackers. Seasonal allergies are now easier to track than ever. For example, Pollen.com is an easily acces- sible and free site that allows visitors to type in their ZIP codes and access daily allergy reports for their towns and cities. Visitors also can see five- day forecasts that can help them plan trips and other outdoor excursions. Weather.com also offers free allergy reports and forecasts. Individuals with seasonal allergies can make use of these sites and plan their activities based on the information they provide. • Stay indoors when allergen levels are espe- cially high. The Mayo Clinic notes that there are several things individuals can do to reduce their exposure to seasonal allergy triggers. That includes staying indoors on dry, windy days. This doesn't mean individuals need to lock themselves indoors all spring. But it's important that seasonal allergy sufferers recognize that some days might be too much to handle. Rain helps clear pollen from the air, so individuals who are avoiding the outdoors on days when pollen counts are high should be able to get outside after a good rain without triggering an attack. • Maintain clean air indoors. The great out- doors is not the only place where allergens per- colate. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America notes that improving air quality in a home can reduce allergy triggers. Air conditioners can prevent outdoor allergens from entering a home, so utilize units on warm spring days when you might otherwise open the windows. Open windows and screen doors pro- vide easy entry points for allergens like pollen, so turning on the AC when outdoor allergen counts are high can make seasonal allergies more man- ageable. • Consider treatments. Over-the-counter treat- ments like antihistamines, nasal sprays and decon- gestants provide most individuals with sufficient relief from their seasonal allergies. If OTC remedies are ineffective, treatments such as allergen immu- notherapy and a consultation with an allergen may be necessary. Seasonal allergies can spoil an otherwise wel- coming spring day. But there are many ways for individuals to corral their seasonal allergies and still enjoy spring sun. (MC) Howtocorralspringallergies HealthyLiving that the Ontario Liberals have pledged a "buck-a-ride" program for transit, promis- ing to slash fares for all transit systems to $1 per ride and $40 for monthly passes. Even if the gimmick were to succeed in increasing ridership on public transit, the outcome would simply be more people on the same number of trains and buses. If we want to pour more money into public tran- sit, the dollars should be invested in creat- ing faster, more frequent service. Of course, all this talk about public transit as a possible option to relieve our pain at the pumps is spoken through the lens of a city dweller. Rural communities have limited or no access to public transit, and people who live in rural areas tend to have longer commutes to work. Back to the drawing board. The reality is that no matter how noble our efforts to transition away from gaso- line-powered automobiles, we're a long way from the finish line. And that means the currently outrageous price at the pumps is just one more way that life is get- ting less affordable for the average work- ing class. We've gone from "buck-a-beer" to "buck-a-ride" in successive provincial election campaigns. Maybe the next prom- ise we'll hear is "buck-a-litre." That's almost sure to get someone elect- ed. Columnist Mike Farwell is a broadcast- er, MC and advocate. Follow him on Twit- ter at @farwell_WR, or connect with him via Mike.Farwell@rci.rogers.com. OPINION Continued from page 8 PAIN AT THE PUMPS "Even as we try to encourage other, more sustainable modes of transportation, are those options realistic for most of us?" asks Mike Farwell. R.J. Johnston/Toronto Star