Re: [GreenYes] Recycling Glass +++

["Keith Edward Ripley" <keith.ripley@eudoramail.com>]

 I've always wondered why jurisdictions here in the US do not use something akin to the SuperDrecksKeescht (SDK) program in Luxembourg, 
where a small fleet of specially equipped trucks and vans makes regular rounds and requested pick-ups from households of potentially 
hazardous small-scale wastes.  SDK trucks and vans will come pick up batteries (26.5% of SDK collections in 1997), paint and solvent 
residues (a full third of 1997 SDK collections), flourescent lamps, empty chemical and cleaning fluid bottles and insecticide cans, etc.  The trucks/van also leave with the consumer info/tips on proper handling of such items and their environmental/health impacts.  The Luxembourgers claim it's quite effective, but they don't discuss its operational costs vs. alternative methods.  
       But the advantage is clear: consumers participate because it's made easy for them to do so.  Here in N.Va. if I have cans with motor oil, paint, varnish and solvent residues, I'm not supposed to put them in with regular trash. My trash hauler doesn't like to pick them up separately without charging a hefty fee, and it's 
anything but convenient for me to drive 20 miles to the Lorton landfill to hand them over -- the closest "drop off" spot to me.  Our neighborhood 
association organizes an annual "special collection" day that used to accept such items, but no longer does (not clear why) -- the 
collector now only wants broken furniture and somesuch.  Even before the restriction was imposed on "special collection day", I had to 
safely store these items for months and make a point of being in town and at home at the appointed day and hours (never an entire 
day), remembering the items and hauling them myself to the pick-up point.
Regards,
Keith


---
Sr. Keith Edward Ripley
Temas Actuales
6333 Beryl Road
Alexandria, VA 22312-6304
EE.UU
telefono: 703-813-6016
telefax: 703-813-6017
e-mail: keith.ripley@eudoramail.com

Autor del libro "Solid Wastes and Recycling in Latin America & the Caribbean: Trends & Policies" 
   http://www.raymond.com/latinamr.htm

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Gracias.





On Fri, 15 Mar 2002 09:43:58    C E F G :-) wrote:
>
>  Everyone...
>
>  (Cut)  What Ric Anthony said bears repeating : Let's include more
>  materials on the bus, not begin throwing things off. (Paste)
>
>  VERY SIMPLE.
>  Add room on the recycling trucks for items we want and need to keep out of
>  the landfills and processing facilities.
>
>  Examples would be used auto oil, auto batteries, tires, paint and e-waste.
>  To continually believe that citizens are going to drive all around(out of their way) when the garbage can is at the end of the driveway to rid themselves of these items is ridiculous.  Buy choice many people use the vacant lots or rural roadsides as their personal dumping grounds.  Yes the dedicated citizens that care about the environment will drive to the right place to get rid of the tires, oil, etc.  It is the illegal dumpers that we need to get onboard.  All the educational efforts are wasted if convenience of "proper disposal" is not provided.  Convenience is not a 4-5 mile drive-- it is at the end of the driveway.
>
>  I think the buzzword sustainability could be used to describe the
>  "recycling bus" that is loaded with the "right and wrong" materials.
>  Maybe the name of the bus should be changed to "Enviro Truck"
>  since much of what is collected as recyclables(i.e. glass) is really
>  reused not recycled!
>
>  Instead of the continual "$hort term market thought proce$$"
>  usually promoted by the hauler$ and/or landfill indu$try, it is time
>  for our nearsighted leaders and bureaucrats to start thinking "outside"
>  of the box.
>
>  It is time to keep moving environmental initiatives and needed changes
>  forward-- not backwards down the slippery slope.
>
>  Regards, C. William
>
>     #  #  #  #  #  #  #  #  #  #    
>  "Everyday should be an Earth Day."
>
>


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