Re: [greenyes] scavenging

["Wayne Turner" <WAYNET@no.address>]

Sharon, et al.,

Scavenging rises and falls with the markets for materials.  When OCC
prices go south, the pickup trucks scavenging OCC disappear only to
reappear magically overnight when prices rebound.  Likewise, UBC prices
dictate how zealous the scavengers are.  Since UBC prices are relatively
steady, the scavenging is too.  The most aggravating thing about the
scavenging is that it leaves the dregs for the municipality to collect
and drives our cost per ton up.  It's a real catch 22.  I guess I should
be thankful that the material is being collected and sold on the open
market and not subsidized by the city but we can't make instantaneous
changes to our fleets and staffs to accommodate these sudden
fluctuations.

Wayne

>>> <Sharon_Gates@no.address> 07/02/03 05:23PM >>>
Is scavenging from recycling bins/carts a problem in your jurisdiction?
Is 
it illegal?  What do you do to prevent scavenging?  Are the police 
involved?

While I don't think scavenging is any more of a problem in Long Beach
than 
in other similar cities, it is an annoyance and a source of frustration
to 
residents.  I encourage people to report scavenging to the police, 
residents report to me that they don't want to bother the police, or
the 
police don't do anything about it.  "The police have more important
things 
to worry about."  What happens in your town?

Sharon Gates
Recycling Specialist
City of Long Beach, California
562/570-4694