In
the early 80’s, before there was curbside recycling, there was a plant that
paid for paper brought in to be recycled. SO, I HAD AN IDEA!!
I
began a neighborhood paper collection project and called it Lettuce Recycle
(sound familiar?). Several of my neighbors and I began saving our paper, agreeing
that one of us would drive the paper to this plant once a month. We were so excited because we would be paid
money for all of the paper we were going collect and could then have a BIG
neighborhood party.
I
was the first to make the trip. After
filling up my Toyota van, I happily drove to collect our wealth AND save the
planet, all at the same time.
The
van was weighed before and after the paper was unloaded. I was then handed $1.30.
Well, at least we did our best to save the planet – so much for a big
neighborhood party!
Fortunately,
curbside single stream recycling in Austin has made recycling so much easier. However,
citywide participation is still not what it could be. Therefore, I researched
what other cities do to encourage recycling and found some very interesting
incentives.
Some
U.S. cities are partnering with New York-based Recycle Bank to give people
points based on how much they recycle.
Recycling bins in those cities have special computer chips that measure
volume. This volume translates into
points that can be redeemed at local stores in the form of gift cards.
Other
cities charge people who don’t recycle or don’t recycle properly. In some cities, trash is weighed and people
are assessed a monthly utility charge based on how much trash is sent to the
landfill. In other cities, “green police” drive around and check recycling bins
and assess a fine if the items in the bin are not recyclable.
All
of the above programs cost money. Computer chips in recycling bins have to be
manufactured, installed and maintained.
The gift card program is costly and has to be managed. “Green police”
have to be paid and the fines have to be collected.
WOULDN’T
IT BE GREAT IF PEOPLE RECYCLED JUST BECAUSE IT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO?
There
are many reasons people don’t recycle. I
write this blog and pen a monthly article in my neighborhood newsletter to help
educate people on how and what to recycle. Stay tuned to my next blog post – Why
People Don’t Recycle.
SIMPLE
RECYCLING UPDATE
The
Austin City Council voted unanimously on February 2 to continue the Simple
Recycling contract. Simple Recycling and
the City of Austin encourage everyone to donate first to their favorite charity
and then, rather than throw unwanted items into the trash, put them into the
green Simple Recycling bags for curbside collection. As of February 17, 2017,
Simple Recycling has collected 265,000 pounds from 12,000 Austin
Residents.
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO POST TO
THIS BLOG ANY RECYCLING QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE. I WILL RESEARCH YOUR QUESTIONS AND POST THE
ANSWERS.
