[GreenYes] Garbage/recycling alternate pickups: Smells, etc.

[kspringr@no.address]

Hi All,

Just to set the record, I indulge in worm composting, actually not in a worm bin, but in a regualr composting enclosure using red worms to enhance the process.  I do this for kitchen scraps and for garden cuttings, etc.  It works incredibly well for me and the wroms seem to multiply quickly, so they seem to be happy also.

I wrote individually to Mary so that she didn't get the impression that I don't recycle at home, or compost as well.  I wanted you all to know the same since my words are being passed around.

However, my neighbors, most of them don't compost, and like I mentioned before, the collectors are not obligated to take the extra time to pull my can from my yard for me when I forget to put it out, but they usually do.  (Actually, I often don't put it out because there isn't enough in it to warrent collection.  I probably fill a can once a month.)  I still think they collect it when I don't even put it out because they don't want to deal with the smell after 2 weeks.

I think collection of garbage every other week and recycling the other weeks is probably a good way both reduce p/u costs and put pressure on residents to waste less.  Some families might need more cans if they have to save 2 weeks worth.  

Would they have to pay more for additional cans service, and would this be further incentive to waste less?  The concept is getting more interesting.


Kim Springer
Recycling Specialist


-------Original Message-------
From: Katherine.Murray@no.address
Sent: 01/29/03 06:43 AM
To: greenyes@no.address
Subject: RE: [GreenYes] Garbage/recycling alternate pickups:Smelly garbage	 cans a thing of the past when you do worm composting

> 
> TX Health Department rules require that we pick up garbage weekly.  Austin
might consider every-other-week recycling, but not EOW garbage.

Katherine J. Murray
Waste Diversion Planner
City of Austin Solid Waste Services
(512) 974-9043
fx (512) 974-9048

-----Original Message-----
From:   	Mary Appelhof [SMTP:mappelho@no.address]
Sent:   	Tuesday, January 28, 2003 5:36 PM
To:   	greenyes@no.address
Subject:   	[GreenYes] Garbage/recycling alternate pickups:Smelly
garbage cans a thing of the past when you do worm composting

Kim Springer said, "If I forget to put my garbage out, then the 
collection crew usually comes
into my yard to get my can.  They are not obligated to do so, but I
suspect
that they prefer to collect it on a weekly basis due to the smell cause by
the breakdown of the contents of most garbage cans.  A week later, the
same
  can could be pretty smelly."

I gave up smelly garbage cans when I started composting my garbage 
with worms over 30 years ago. Keeping the organics out of the waste 
stream keeps recyclables cleaner and trash free of offensive odors. A 
decade-old survey in Seattle reported over 4000 worm bins in Seattle. 
Vancouver distributes worm bins regularly to their citizens. Their 
surveys show that people who have worm bins are more conscious about 
the wastes they produce and pay more attention to the recycling they 
do, ultimately producing less trash.  Visibility and media coverage 
that the vermicomposting program provides brings in many people who 
would not learn about the recycling programs otherwise.

Mary Appelhof
-- 
PS We have a delightful children's color picture book, "Compost, By 
Gosh!" by Michelle Eva Portman. I've had a wonderful time reading it 
to elementary school children. . . and I know that middle school kids 
like it, too! Check our website for details. 
http://www.wormwoman.com/acatalog/Compost_By_Gosh_.html  Available 
now.

Mary Appelhof, Author of "Worms Eat My Garbage"
Flowerfield Enterprises,10332 Shaver Road,Kalamazoo, MI 49024 USA
PLEASE NOTE NEW AREA CODE: PH:269-327-0108  FAX 269-327-7009


"Changing the way the world thinks about garbage"

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