In my message yesterday, I suggested it would be better that the Streets
Dept. fine both those who don't recycle at all, and those who mix their
recyclables in with their trash, rather than pick on poor folks like Roger
Harman, who are recycling, but putting newspapers in plastic bags to keep
them from getting wet.
I realized soon after I sent the thing that there was an obvious problem
with my statement, and I expected some comments! Sure enough, today I heard
from Steph99, the first person who asked about "not recycling at all". When
you think about it, it's obvious that that particular aspect is almost
impossible to enforce! I don't see how they could possibly require each
household to put some recyclable(s) in the blue bucket every 2 weeks. What
if you have no recyclables accumulated (hard to believe, but possible)?
Maybe you would have to put out the empty bucket to show there is none? But
what if you are away on vacation, and have no trash at all? I'm sure the
trash guys are not checking off addresses as they pick stuff up anyway. That
would be an enforcement nightmare.
I would have to guess, that as long as you don't mix recycling stuff with
trash, that they couldn't possibly fine you. In fact, I'll be pretty
surprised if they actually fine people who mix it with their trash (although
I would love to see it happen!). Are they going to start examining what's in
trash bags? How much will they have to pay union laborers to do that? It may
be worth it, though, as 100% recycling compliance (or anything approaching
it) would greatly reduce the city's costs for disposing of waste.
I expect if it happens, there will be occasional random checking by
special workers, probably the SWEEP officers (Streets Dept. Enforcement ).
Why don't we all just recycle like we're supposed to, and save the extra
money necessary for enforcement for other needed services? (I know, hopeless
utopian thinking).
Jon Mourar
----- Original Message -----
From: "steph99" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Cc: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Thursday, June 20, 2002 10:25 AM
Subject: Re: [UC] Recycling -- the fickle finger of fate
> There are many weeks that I don't create enough trash or recyclables to
bother
> taking it out. Is it possible to be penalized for not putting out a
container
> if you have nothing to put out?
>
> ps, I compost in my kitchen which really helps keep trash levels down.
Besides
> the occasional battle with fruitflies, it's pretty neat and great for the
> garden. Anyone wanting a starting point for home/apt composting write
> privately.
>
>
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