Re: [greenyes] Thinking outside the box

["Pete Pasterz" <ppasterz@no.address>]

Just a few random responses on a frozen rain day...

Pete Pasterz, Manager
Office of Recycling and Waste Management
Michigan State University

Chair, College and University Recycling Council
National Recycling Coalition

"UNLESS someone like YOU cares a whole awful lot,
 nothing is going to get better.   It's not." -- The Lorax

>>> "Steen, Terri - Contractor" <Terri_Steen@no.address> 04/07/03 05:04PM >>>
Just a few random thoughts on a rainy day:

When people talk about collecting recyclables every other week, why don't
they collect trash on the alternating weeks?  That would really save some
money.

>>People don't like the odors which food wastes generate over a 2 week period [yes, I know that trash containers should NOT contain food]<<<

Why don't we provide residents with 95-gallon wheeled cans for recycling
collection, and 16-gallon trash cans?  I know my recycling weighs more than
my trash -- why doesn't everybody's? 

>>Because, of course, everybody's not [yet] as committed as we are.   With the right incentives [PAYT, strong education on benefits of recycling and reduction], I believe it CAN happen for many/most, but over time.

Does New York City's 5-cent deposit include glass and plastic bottles?  And
if so, then is it really necessary to include them in the curbside program?
Are New Yorkers really all so wealthy that they just toss 30 cents away on
each 6-pack of beer?  And aren't there scavengers on the city streets who
are helping solve this problem?  Or is it not worth it for them, either?

>>Of course, a nickel isn't worth much to people these days, especially in high cost of living cities.    Even the dime deposit here in MI doesn't have the same meaning for folks as it did in 1978 when the law came into effect.
That same dime today would be 31cents!   Would that get most people to return them [or give scavengers incentive]?

And, not all New York containers are covered under their existing bottle law.    Even with the proposed expansion, there would be plastic, glass and metal food containers still in the residential recycling stream.<<<


That's my 31 cents worth!