recycling

[ddnelson]

I have recently read and heard that some folks are unhappy that they have to pay a small fee ($1.57 per month in our case) and purchase clear bags in order to participate in once per week pickup of recyclable materials. Indulge me on my "up North" comment...we were delighted to have it but it required maintaining several containers into which we sorted various colors of glass and varieties of metal, etc. and then loading it all in our pickup and dellivering to the local collection point where we again sorted it into barrels...and we shared in the good feeling that we were providing the opportunity for those resources to be reresourced and thus contributing to protecting the environment. So what is wrong with that? Apparently plenty...after several years of pleading for recycling we finally get it and are not required to sort or deliver...simply place the bag at the curb and it is picked up. Some seemed perfectly happy to pay approximately $15 per month and purchase bags to have all "garbage" picked up (including recyclables) and delivered to a landfill where the recyclables were never to be seen again (some say that the garbage was sorted by prisoners...I think that was a myth)...and some say that this is government forcing us to something we did not have a voice in (I believe it is a private company which performs the service...why do I need a "voice" to help save the environment...and let's see $1.57 per month amounts to $18.84 per year which will hardly buy lunch anywhere). So what is wrong with my thinking? No doubt some will find it!!! Perhaps I need to find something to whine about...I got it, let's campaign for another (yes another) post office that someone else will pay for! Nah I think I will drive to the several which are short distances from us or I will simply use the Pack and Ships or the UPS Store to which I can actually get to on my golfcart...okay I guess that is not really whineable!

Dave Nelson

[Muncle]

A couple things, Dave. First, you state: "after several years of pleading for recycling we finally get it". No, not so much. This occurred after several years of "pleading" and demanding and whining by a very vocal minority. There was no groundswell from the masses. Those who wanted to recycle, recycled. Those who didn't, didn't.

Secondly, you criticize those who are "happy" to pay $15 per month for trash collection, yet do not want to pay an additional $1.57 for something they do not want. You denigrate the amount, stating that $18.84 per year is a trifling amount, basically lunch money. Does this mean those who don't want to pay can count on you to pick up their tab. Hey, it's only $1.57 a month. You can afford it.

There are various complaints circulating around the community now, as there always are. Some don't want to have a recycling charge. Some want the authority to opt out of the recycling program on a house by house basis. Some snowbirds don't want to pay for trash pickup at all for the period when their home is unoccupied. Some like the clear bags while others demand the recycling program switch to "free" plastic containers. Life's a :edit: , isn't it.

I personally am not a big fan of recycling on the scale done here. Don't see a lot of good in it. However, I'm more than happy to pay the additional $1.57 a month (don't send me my check, Dave. I'll pay my own.) since it makes so many of my neighbors happy and might, just might, shut up the Greenies for a short while. At least we do not yet have the recycling gestapo going through our trash to ensure we have recycled everything properly.

[Hancle704]

Since we now have some recycling program history in TV, maybe it's time for a review.

1. Is it working to everyone's satisfaction?
2. Have we added years to the capacity of landfills?
3. Have the organizations who had been collecting aluminum cans and newspapers all along, seen a reduction in their collections?
4. Are our twice a week trash pickups still needed, now that we have removed the recyclables?
5. Has there been a reduction in trash pick up costs, tipping fees and payments to landfill operators?
6. What are all the prisoners who used to sort through trash to pick out recyclabes, doing with their new free time?
7. Are the authorized 13 gallon clear recyling bags now available everywhere? And where do they go once they arrive in Orlando and are emptied at the recycling facility?
8. Any mention if there will be a reduction in our trash pick up charges since the recyclables have been removed from the trash stream?
9. Is the recycling program in TV as successful as hoped for?
10. Is everybody happy now or, what's next on the agenda?
:dontknow:

[MnGirl]

Who decided we should use clear bags to recycle? I'd love to use all the plastic bags I have collected from my trips to the grocery store. Last week I had a clear bag, not regulation, and I filled it with newspaper. It was neatly stacked and you could see it was all newspapers They refused to take it. Next week it will be going out in the garbage.
It seems everything gets started with such good intentions, and then someone wants to make all the rules. Until I can recycle with bags I already have count me out.

[billethkid]

I find TV method of recycling a bit inconsistent with the objective.
Requiring more plastic to be used to recycle....i.e. the clear plastic bags.
I was never able to validate that prisoners were used to do the sorting at the center where the trash is delivered....and that even with the clear plastic bags...they were still going to be there to sort.
If that were true????? then the increased cost is some what questionable....if it were true.
I for one do not use the clear plastic bags and I guess can be considered a non re cycler.
I do go out of my way to request paper when ever they have it at the stores and I put my trash in those. I personally think that is more effective than injecting more non degradeable stuff like clear plastic bags.
And I do object to have to pay an additional fee for the current so called recycle system.
Why not a real recycle plan....I know...buckets in the front yard don't look good....phoooeyyy!!!!

BTK

[Hancle704]

Who decided we should use clear bags to recycle? I'd love to use all the plastic bags I have collected from my trips to the grocery store. Last week I had a clear bag, not regulation, and I filled it with newspaper. It was neatly stacked and you could see it was all newspapers They refused to take it. Next week it will be going out in the garbage.
It seems everything gets started with such good intentions, and then someone wants to make all the rules. Until I can recycle with bags I already have count me out.

I guess someone decided that the clear plastic bags would allow for quick inspection to insure that regular trash (non-recyclables)were not mixed in. Rather than placing newspapers in with trash save them and then take them to one of the area churches that recycle them and use the monies to suport something worthwhile.

[MnGirl]

Sorry, my papers went out with the trash. There was no reason the recycle guys couldn't have picked them up. Clear bag, just not regulation, [u][u]
If a person is going to go through the trouble of recycling do you really think they are going to try an sneak inl garbage. To buy bags is just crazy.
If the garbage guys can't figure out what is garbage and what is recycling, why don't we put out garbage on one day and recycling the next. Picking up 2 times a week, now that we recycle, is a bit much.

[graciegirl]

Sorry, my papers went out with the trash. There was no reason the recycle guys couldn't have picked them up. Clear bag, just not regulation, [u][u]
If a person is going to go through the trouble of recycling do you really think they are going to try an sneak inl garbage. To buy bags is just crazy.
If the garbage guys can't figure out what is garbage and what is recycling, why don't we put out garbage on one day and recycling the next. Picking up 2 times a week, now that we recycle, is a bit much.


:agree: :agree:

You have ME convinced. This whole recycling thing sometimes 'throws the baby out with the bath water'. It focuses on one thing. We can do all of the things that our parents or grandparents taught us because they lived through the depression. I have to admire them. We grew up getting our shoes repaired, using breadbags for leftovers, (and leftovers for snacks) making clothes and quilts. There are so many ways to conserve, save and save the earth in the process that are just common sense and not at all difficult. My dear perfect granddaughter is all very enthusiastic about being "GREEN" and asked why I printed on both sides of paper in my ebay business.

Poor kid. Got lecture number 482.

[zcaveman]

If the garbage guys can't figure out what is garbage and what is recycling, why don't we put out garbage on one day and recycling the next. Picking up 2 times a week, now that we recycle, is a bit much.


When the weather gets a little warmer (90s) and the garage door is shut (keeps the burglars and unwanted four legged pests out) and you toss the wrong thing, you will definitely want twice a week garage pickup. My papers go to St Theresa's and my aluminum cans go to the Humane Society. I recycle boxes but not in the paper bag. I break then down and stack then into one box. I still have a full bag for each pickup. I go out to lunch once a week and eat home the rest of the time so I probably have more garbage that some. I don't know.

Most of my neighbors put out a full bag twice a week. One neighbor puts out a full bag once every two weeks. One lady puts out one Wal-Mart size bag every time. Everyone has different habits.

If they cut the garbage down to once a week I expect to see my bill get cut in half and the nuisance $1.47 charge dropped.

[MnGirl]

I've never lived anywhere that garbage is picked up more than once a week (except Florida).
I'm not so organized that I separate everything and bring it to organizations, nor do I have the time, but good for you.
I like that they pick it up twice a week, but it seems a little excessive now that we are recycling.
Is anyone ? about all the neighbors checking out what you drink and how much, with clear bags?