No Landfill For Old Styrofoam

Neighborhood Recycling Collection Project – SUCCESS!!

One of the biggest recycling challenges is dealing with items that are not collected curbside.  It is very easy to throw something into that giant blue cart and roll it out to the curb, but what about those items that have to go elsewhere?

I have tried to address this challenge by organizing a neighborhood collection effort for some of these items (batteries, Styrofoam and light bulbs) and by personally transporting them to the City of Austin Recycling, Reuse Drop-Off facility in far south Austin.

My first effort, this past spring, was somewhat successful. Four neighbors contributed items.  One brought 3 years of batteries and the others brought batteries and Styrofoam. It was a good start.

Early this summer, I notified my neighborhood that I was planning to go to the collection center in the first part of August.  I encouraged everyone to begin saving the above items.  I sent out reminders, put collection boxes on my front porch, and hoped for the best.

As you can see from the picture above, our neighborhood kept a lot of Styrofoam out of the landfill.  My car was loaded with several boxes of batteries, light bulbs, and lots and lots of Styrofoam.  A young neighbor came over to help me load up.  Eight to ten neighbors participated this time.

It is difficult to convince people to wash out Styrofoam meat trays and save them.  There is a big “ick” factor. However, it is my dream that some day so many neighbors will participate that I will run out of room in my car to take everything!

Recycling Block Leaders for the City of Austin

The City of Austin is calling for individuals to volunteer to become Recycling Block Leaders.  Block Leaders are active, “green-minded” individuals who will help spread the word about recycling in their neighborhoods. After attending an orientation session to learn how to engage their neighbors in recycling in Austin, they will receive educational materials to share with their neighbors.

I have been a Recycling Block Leader for many years now.  For the last several years, the program has been inactive. I am very happy to report that the City now has on board a wonderful gal who is activating the program and making a huge effort to recruit and train new Block Leaders and reengage the ones from the past. Here is a link to apply to be a Recycling Block Leader – http://eepurl.com/qma8n.

Questions and Answers

Please feel free to post any questions or comments to this blog that relate to recycling.  I will research your questions and post the answers.