Recycling

[JOEBIALEK]

According to Wikipedia {the free encyclopedia} "recycling is the reprocessing of materials into new products. Recycling generally prevents the waste of potentially useful materials, reduces the consumption of raw materials and reduces energy usage, and hence greenhouse gas emissions, compared to virgin production." The recent discussion concerning global warming has focused primarily on alternative sources of fuel for the purpose of transportation. However, another very important pro-environment tool is recycling. The effort needs to involve more than the consumer and the government. It needs to involve those who sell {and profit} from those products that can be recycled. For example, the manufactures of bottles and cans along with the producers of what's sold inside them as well as the grocery stores that distribute them must take on a greater economic role in the process of recycling. The voluntary "blue bag at the curb" approach is a good start but it relies primarily on the altruism of the consumer.

The question is: does the consumer bear sole responsibility for what happens to a can or bottle that contains the product used? or should some of that responsibility be borne by those who profit from its' use? Are these responsibilities being borne already and are they equitable? Some time ago bottlers would charge a five-cent "deposit" on a bottle to be "refunded" when the consumer returned the bottle. It would seem that this concept could be reoperationalized for a whole host of products. The consumer could clean the bottle or can, return it to the grocery story for a "refund" and the grocery store would return it to the producer then to the manufacturer etcetera each receiving a "refund" along the way. When all parties involved have an economic incentive to participate, recycling will make a much larger contribution towards preserving the environment.

[Eastside Bill]

I second the motion. And would add that water bottles should also have to pay the $.05 deposit since they make up a lot of litter along the road.

Locally, I would love to see the RJ follow what happens with the newspapers, cans and bottles after they are picked up from the curb. Where is it taken? How are the cans and bottles sorted and divided up when they are picked up all mixed in together? What happens to the material after it is processed? How is the glass recycled and how is the plastic recycled? Why are only certain plastics acceptable for recycling (and why isn't it a requirement that all packaging plastics be acceptable for recycling)? Inquiring minds want to know!

[JohnH]

Just a quick observation, Ireland introduced a 25 cent levy on the plastic bags you get at the grocery store. Needless to say you don't see many of these bags floating around the countryside any more.

I too find it difficult to figure out why only certain plastics are recycleable?

As for recycling other items, people should check out http://www.freecycle.org/

[Happy]

In the 70s and early 80s with the gas shortage and concern for the environment was popular, we did recycle and reuse. I remember making clothes for my kids, buying in bulk, and being on a "conservation committee" for the Junior Women's Club. How many clubs have a conservation committee anymore? I guess the younger generation needs to take the lead now. The sad thing is that our generation did not keep up with many of those good environmental behaviors over the years. I hope that everyone learns to respect the environment for future generations.

[Wine Guys]

"In every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations." -- The Iroquois Confederacy

http://www.freedom-here-and-now.com/7glt/

http://www.flora.org/sustain/7GI/7gI-strategy.shtml

[eds]

I put all my metal, including any beverage cans, plastic bottles and glass beverage bottles into the recycle bin every two weeks. That way the cans and bottles still get recycled and I don't have to stand in a bottle return line wasting time. My newspapers get burned in the grill and fireplace to start the fire. What I don't use there I recycle too.

The only reason I do that is because the recycler guy is "free" and does not care how much I put out at the curb, however, my trash hauler cares how much trash I put out. I am allowed two of those 64 gallon trash cans with giant wheels per week. Bottles, cans, and the like take up space that can be used for other non-recyclable trash.

[Chris P]

I would also like to see Mcdonalds and Burgerking wrappers and all beverage bottles with a deposit. Its just horrible seeing all the litter from these sources. Actually I would like to see the fast food restaurants being required to fund a monthly or weekly cleanup of their fast food garbage in every city in the USA.

[rapuda]

You can put a deposit on everything that is made and sold but it won't matter unless attitudes change. A strong recycling and anti-litter campaign has to happen to change the habits of people. If people were aware of what litter does and how not recycling effects the enviroment, they would be more likely to recycle and not litter. Also it helps if you live in a community that keeps itself clean by having volunteers pick up garbage. If you live in a dirty community you're more likely to throw trash on the ground because it's already there. Remember in the seventies we had the crying indian? I think he said "Only you can keep America clean." We need something like that again. People need to feel guilty about littering. People need to feel guilty about not recycling. We need to make recycling and not littering a cool thing. The "IN" thing. Deposits help, but lazy inconsiderate people will still be lazy and inconsiderate until thier attitudes change.

[Chris P]

I agree rap. When the Chinese and Arabs finally buy this country and own it lock stock and barrel they are going to want to see it clean. Im picturing a commercial with an Arab looking over an oil polluted river with litter on its banks and looking sad.