Trash Guys Take My Blue Bin-City Says Go To Class To Get It Back

My recycling and trash days are on Tuesday and every week I dutifully put them out on the curb at the proper distance from each other and make sure that there is nothing spilling out of my bins and that only the items that I am supposed to be recycling are in the blue bin. This morning I lost my blue bin and now the City wants me to attend a one hour class to get it back.

WAIT... WHAT?
I didn't lose my bin because I was recycling the wrong way. I lost my blue bin because the blue bin truck guys dropped my bin in their truck and then took off. When Darren realized that the blue bin wasn't next to the grey one, he called the Environmental Services Department. They apologized and said it fell into the truck and we would have to attend the one hour class online in order to get it replaced.

WAIT WAIT WAIT... WHAT??
I spoke with Sara Ortiz from the Environmental Services Department and she said if you lose your blue bin, per department protocol, you have to take the class to "opt in to the recycling program." This is a rough recounting of our phone conversation:

Me: I opted in when the recycling program began.

Sara: You will need to be issued a new bin which mean you'll have to opt in all over again and take the class. People don't know how to recycle and that's why the class is necessary.

Me: I know how to recycle. I've done countless articles on how to recycle over the years.

Sara: Yes, but we really need people to take the class and when you opt in you have to take the class.

Me: I've been recycling correctly for years. Your inept crew took the blue bin, I did not lose it. I just need you to return it.

Sara: After you take the class you can get your blue bin.

Me: And if I don't take the class then I don't get the blue bin and I'll just start putting my recyclables into the grey bin?

Sara: That is your decision.

Me: So your department's screw up will cause me to no longer recycle because I will not take the class on principle because I didn't cause this.

Sara: That is your decision.

So, the long and the short of this is, if the Environmental Services Department messes up and takes off with your blue bin and you want to continue recycling, you will be on the hook for an hour long online class. Or you can just stop recycling.

This is the stupidest thing I've ever had to report on. Oh well, I guess I won't recycle anymore. Thanks for everything Environmental Services Department of El Paso.