Recycling: One reason I like recycling is that bringing garbage to the dump costs $5.00 per bag, and recycling is free. I brought cans and plastic to the dump today, and the guy...

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

One reason I like recycling is that bringing garbage to the dump costs $5.00 per bag, and recycling is free. I brought cans and plastic to the dump today, and the guy thought he'd make sure what I brought was okay. It wasn't. i didn't wash my garbage! I always rinse food cans, but they have to be washed clean. Otherwise, they're garbage. There are so many kinds of plastic that can't be recycled, that it's hardly worth the effort. Any plastic that touched food is garbage, not recyclable. Many types of glass are not allowed, either. He said that the recycler complains if the wrong items are found in the various dumpsters.

The town pays the recycler to pick up the stuff. Then they process it and probably sell it. I don't mind recycling, but when they make it so difficult, it's discouraging.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

I hear ya Jerry. I didn't know that it was so difficult. Where I live we don't have separate bins for our trash. Many places do and I wonder if the the refuse company is that picky about the recycle refuse as they are in your area. My sister and cousins have seperate bins for recycle, trash, and green refuse. I know that the green refuse is easy because it's any and all of your yard clippings etc. But I'm always confused about what is recyclable and what is not.

wilikioti Loc: Deep South, USA

Recycling is a business that wants you to do most of the work for them. Just as WalMart wants you to buy their groceries, scan them, pay for them and bag them. Screw ‘em!! I put all my trash in the same bag and I stand in the checkout lanes to pay for the groceries!

Popeye Loc: LifIno

We USED to have a large trash receptacle and recycled faithfully. Because of the deal with China, they now accept less and are charging us more for it (the American way). It all goes in one trash can and let them sort it out.

G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK

There have been several countries refusing to take UK recycling as 'paper companies' are being set up - and just dumping 'recycling' in old factory sites. Its ending up all over the world!
We need to have a standardized, easily recyclable plastic.....! AND stop manufacture's putting non perishable goods in vacume packs - hell Butter, Sugar, flour all come in paper - why the hell should screws, handyman fitments and tools come in plastic.
99% of the goods ordered on line are wrapped in several different products - most of which are not recycled by local authorities. It is manufacturer's who are creating the problem - not the consumer!!! But we get the blame....Government needs a kick up the ass and start working with the real culprits.

Popeye Loc: LifIno

Good swift kick in the shorts aye!

John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK

jerryc41 wrote:

One reason I like recycling is that bringing garba... (show quote)

Exactly the same here Jerry. No one has a clue what plastics can go in, but plastics, glass and cans just need a rinse. They're going to heat these things up to melting point so I don't think a little food residue is going to be a problem (except maybe on some low melt plastics).

The Council charges for almost anything you take to the dump, so when we cut some Leylandi the other week I just asked on Facebook (community page) for spare space in a green bin, and a neighbour came up trumps.

Garden rubbish (grass cuttings, plant trimmings, branches up to 2" dia. and Autumnal leaves) go for composting and food waste all goes in another bin for 'anaerobic' composting. 3x big bins and a little one, with food collected every week and the other 3 fortnightly, with landfill one week and recycling the next.

rustfarmer

We in the US need to do much better about recycling I think. Our family gardens and composts but many folks don't. Or solid waste folks recycle only plastic bottles and jugs, cardboard and metals. Glass used to be, but they claim no one will take it anymore.

Dannj

Two options in our town:
1- put all the glass, aluminum, plastic in one container and leave it curbside for pickup.
2- bring it to the dump yourself and sort each type into separate dumpsters.

I don’t understand why the curbside doesn’t have to be sorted but if I bring it myself it does.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

G Brown wrote:

There have been several countries refusing to take... (show quote)

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

John N wrote:

They're going to heat these things up to melting point so I don't think a little food residue is going to be a problem (except maybe on some low melt plastics).

Right! The only reason I can think of is they don't want any food in the area where the workers are doing whatever they do.

I ordered a trash compactor yesterday so I can get more into each $5.00 garbage bag.

LoisCroft Loc: Jonesborough, Tennessee

wilikioti wrote:

Recycling is a business that wants you to do most of the work for them. Just as WalMart wants you to buy their groceries, scan them, pay for them and bag them. Screw ‘em!! I put all my trash in the same bag and I stand in the checkout lanes to pay for the groceries!

My thoughts exactly!

hippi Loc: Sedalia MO

G Brown wrote:

There have been several countries refusing to take... (show quote)

It is called HEMP can make all sorts of things with it

Collhar Loc: New York City.

wilikioti wrote:

Recycling is a business that wants you to do most of the work for them. Just as WalMart wants you to buy their groceries, scan them, pay for them and bag them. Screw ‘em!! I put all my trash in the same bag and I stand in the checkout lanes to pay for the groceries!

It just doesn't pay to get out of bed anymore.

Collhar Loc: New York City.

rustfarmer wrote:

We in the US need to do much better about recycling I think. Our family gardens and composts but many folks don't. Or solid waste folks recycle only plastic bottles and jugs, cardboard and metals. Glass used to be, but they claim no one will take it anymore.

i would add not P and moan about the petty stuff.