With the curbside recycling program ending in Montgomery*---a casualty of the new city budget---I found this N.Y. story about tracking devices put on pieces of trash rather interesting. Where will the coffee cup and bookshelf and stuff really go? If the trackers survive and aren't crushed, we may know a bit more of where the stuff we toss ends up. * They dropped off a new orange bag when they collected this week, so the program has at least another week's worth of life. Will there be at least a goodby note in place of the bag the last week?
[UPDATE: Notices were included with the water bills. Now you can drop off your recycling goods at seven schools on two Saturdays a month. But no plastic anymore.]
[UPDATE: A news release from the EPA on 9/ suggests recycling programs can even play a roll in reducing global warming...now there's an argument that will probably have some politicians doing the opposite! Time to shut down all recycling!]
[UPDATE: Notices were included with the water bills. Now you can drop off your recycling goods at seven schools on two Saturdays a month. But no plastic anymore.]
[UPDATE: A news release from the EPA on 9/ suggests recycling programs can even play a roll in reducing global warming...now there's an argument that will probably have some politicians doing the opposite! Time to shut down all recycling!]
Plastic is very recyclable, and Americans use a lot of it.
ReplyDeleteWith the local newspaper so skinny, and we seldom have canned soft drinks in our house, it will not be worth the effort to schlep out to a local school to make our contribution to saving the environment.
We no longer hear "paper or plastic?" when we shop at our favorite grocery store or other retail outlet.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I guarantee you this - it takes less resources to utilize paper than it does plastic.
As well, paper is a readily renewable resource, while oil is less so.
And those "eco friendly" compact fluorescent bulbs (aka CFLs - Compact Flourescent Lamps)?
Yeah.. I've used 'em for quite some time because by so doing, I've lowered my utility bill.
BUT!
Did you know that they ALL contain mercury?
Oh yeah... so how "eco-friendly" is that?
Simply read the fine print on the base of the bulb, or on the box. It should be there because it is a toxic substance.
And did you know that their disposal should be in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws? (In other words NOT in a garbage can, or local dump. It's hazardous waster!)
They should be returned to the store where they were purchased, which should have a proper collection center.
Popular Mechanics has - in my opinion - a well reasoned, informative and succinct discussion of the issue.
http://www.popularmechanics.com/blogs/home_journal_news/4217864.html