[greenyes] Recycling programs not cost effective

["Buford Hill" <garbageman@no.address>]

Hello all,

I live in Dickenson County Virginia. One of the poorest counties in the state now that the Coal business is failing. I previously worked for the County Solid Waste Department. It was my hopes that the county would implement a recycling program to enhance the curbside pick-up program that they started in 1995. I worked hard to find information and resources to present to the Board of Supervisors. They were always against it because "It would cost too much". That was 3 years ago.

Recently I was appointed to a Litter Control Ordinance Review Committee. This committee was formed to make recommendations for a body of Ordinances to fight the litter throughout our county. Although we have a Solid Waste Ordinance that covers the same material presented by the county administration, they feel that they need a specialized litter ordinance.

On this committee is the County Administrator, Director of Solid Waste, A Board of Supervisors member, The Litter Control Coordinator, The Litter Control Officer, Virginia General Assembly Delegate Clarence (Bud) Phillips and myself. The Commonwealth Attorney and some private citizens were asked to be there to assist in devising this Litter Control Ordinance but failed to attend.

My concern is that the bureaucrats on the committee are against any type of recycling through the Solid Waste stream giving the same worn out excuse "It would cost too much". Stressing that there are no markets for the materials. Del. Phillips even stressed studies that were done by the State of Virginia that say it is NOT cost affective. Although he did not provide any documentation to back his statements.

Is this the reality of Recycling? Does it cost too much to implement? Are there no markets for the materials?

I need some help with this matter. If anyone has some ammunition I can fire back at them on these issues, let me know. 

Thank you

Buford Hill
Recycle, Garbage is a terrible thing to Waste.
http://www.garbageman.dickensonctyva.net/