Beware Of Falling Mangoes

I love Mango!  It is my favorite fruit, and I pay a small fortune for it at my local green grocer.  They are so sweet and delicious — a real slice of heaven here on earth.

photo by visualdensity

So, it is with a heavy heart that I bring you this tragic mango story.

Our neighbors to the north in Brisbane are having a bumper mango season.  Mango trees are native to that region and are typically found growing in suburban backyards.  This years crop is so big that there are just too many mangoes for the locals to keep up with.  As such, residents have been forced to discard their extra mangoes in their garbage bins.  Personally, it seems like a real tragedy to me to discard an uneaten mango, but the local government is having bigger problems with this mango bonanza.

Apparently mangoes are pretty heavy.  And the automated garbage trucks are not able to pick up the garbage bins that are loaded down with unwanted mangoes.  This has resulted in several residents having their garbage refused.  The Brisbane Times reports that one “wheelie bin” (Aussie slang for garbage can) weighed 100 kg / 220 lbs more than the 70 kg / 154 lbs weight limit.  And, I imagine it is starting to smell as the fruit goes bad.

The Brisbane City Council responded by saying “when life hands you mangoes, make chutney!”, and they have even posted a Mango Chutney recipe on their website.  Now, that’s a good plan!  Can you imagine that poor guy processing 170 kg / 374 lbs of mango chutney in his spare time?

Due to public pressure, the council is now offering “flying squads” (their word, not mine) that will come and pick up residents unwanted mangoes by appointment only.

And, let’s not forget the unsuspecting tourist stuck in the middle of this Mango Madness.  The council has also issued a warning for them: “Beware of falling mangoes.”

For more on the Mango Madness gripping Brisbane, the following video is provided by ABC News.