Recycling

[JOEBIALEK]

According to Wikipedia {the free encyclopedia} "recycling is the reprocessing of materials into new products. Recycling generally prevents the waste of potentially useful materials, reduces the consumption of raw materials and reduces energy usage, and hence greenhouse gas emissions, compared to virgin production." The recent discussion concerning global warming has focused primarily on alternative sources of fuel for the purpose of transportation. However, another very important pro-environment tool is recycling. The effort needs to involve more than the consumer and the government. It needs to involve those who sell {and profit} from those products that can be recycled. For example, the manufactures of bottles and cans along with the producers of what's sold inside them as well as the grocery stores that distribute them must take on a greater economic role in the process of recycling. The voluntary "blue bag at the curb" approach is a good start but it relies primarily on the altruism of the consumer.

The question is: does the consumer bear sole responsibility for what happens to a can or bottle that contains the product used? or should some of that responsibility be borne by those who profit from its' use? Are these responsibilities being borne already and are they equitable? Some time ago bottlers would charge a five-cent "deposit" on a bottle to be "refunded" when the consumer returned the bottle. It would seem that this concept could be reoperationalized for a whole host of products. The consumer could clean the bottle or can, return it to the grocery story for a "refund" and the grocery store would return it to the producer then to the manufacturer etcetera each receiving a "refund" along the way. When all parties involved have an economic incentive to participate, recycling will make a much larger contribution towards preserving the environment.

[AJE]

Excellent Food for Thought Joe Bialek!

[MrKhay]

I once worked in a factory that manufactured plastic jerry cans (gasoline cans). The consumption of raw material that went into producing these cans was greatly reduced by using the flash material from the moulding process. These pieces, along with the parts that didn't meet specifications were thrown into a grinder, and reduced to a pellet form, which was remelted, and used again in the manufacturing process. This is a common practice in the plastics industry.
Another example of industrial recycling is the reuse of cutting oils in a machine shop. Of course, the oil has a limited life, but the small steel cuttings are filtered out of the oil before it gets pumped back to lubricate the part being cut.

[kmfarm]

Good subject. I believe that the companies whe get the raw (recycled) materials from consumers should contribute financially to the effort.

The financial incentive for the company I work at is this: Anything going to the landfill is charged by the pound. So the less going to the landfill, the less we pay. So we collect recyclables simply as a way not to pay to go to the dump.

Consumers need to have a financial incentive to recycle as well.

When we go to our local dump weekly, we have to sort, clean and seperate recyclables from comman trash. What makes us do it? It's the rules for our dump. Do we occasionally sneak some recyclable material in with the regular trash? Yep. Why? Because it's easier. What would make us 100% compliant? Money. If we had to repay a deposit on materials or got paid per pound for materials, we'd surely do better. Somebody is getting the material we're sorting and getting something for it.

How many of plastic bottles from the now poplar bottled water (paying for water is another subject I'll tackle later) end up in the landfills. The majority I'm sure. Maybe that's a good start for deposts on bottles. I kind of like that idea.

Mark

[pk]

How many of plastic bottles from the now poplar bottled water (paying for water is another subject I'll tackle later) end up in the landfills. The majority I'm sure. Maybe that's a good start for deposts on bottles. I kind of like that idea.

I was just telling my kids about the 'old' days when we use to walk around and pick up pop bottles to make a few cents at the grocery store. Candy was sometimes a penny or nickel so we could just bring in a bottle and get candy. But really we could find glass bottles pretty fast and it would add up for a kid back then.

I am sure if they put a small deposit on the water bottles my kids would make sure I quit just throwing them in the garbage bag. Or maybe bring them in for stamps such as the old S&H stamps where you could save and get something for it. Maybe coupons for more water. lol

I know a few years ago our school collected the box top coupons on certain cereals. They were worth a dime each. Our goal would be to reach $500.00 each year and we did it.

Incentives makes a huge difference.

pk

[keith]

I still can't believe how many aluminum cans are tossed in the trash.

Aluminum is worth a LOT - and it isn't that hard to collect a lot of it.

Cities should have can recycling containers nearly wherever they have trash cans, in my humble opinion.

Regards,
Keith

[MrKhay]

The apartment complex where I live has a community aluminum collection can. We use the proceeds from the can collection to have a Christmas Party and a Summer Sweat Party. 2 annual parties supported by the time it takes to carry your aluminum to the collection container.
As for the other recyclables, the collection truck doesn't, or won't pick up here. Too much of a hill, or something :? ...it's weird...so I just walk my bags full a couple blocks, and drop them into one of the neighbors collection can. This usually happens at about 3 am.
However it happens, I GETTER' DUN!