Recycle

Recycling for years has been considered an optional thing that tree lovers or hippies did in their spare time. With the advent of curbside recycling service, lots of people are participating. Down the street there will be someone who lived through the depression setting out their recycling because it is a lifestyle. There are also the kids of hippies to consider, who might be hauling out their separated trash because it is what they know. Of course there are people who don't fall into either of the previous categories and we can call them "normal" for discussion sake. Then we get the types that have slipped through the cracks, have no idea about global warming or limited resources, and see recycling as more effort than they are willing to spend. These are the challenging folks we all need to inspire to make better choices for future generations.

In my neighborhood, we have had voluntary curbside recycling for several years. Recently, they upgraded the service and made it so now we don't even need to separate the plastic from the aluminum because it can all go into one recycling bin. They even deliver the recycling bins to our homes. Short of them taking items from our hands, they have taken care of everything. Really it is only a question now of if people are willing to put a recyclable in one container versus another container. Not too difficult, eh?

Despite this convenient curbside service, most people in my neighborhood recycle, except for all of my immediate neighbors. Wouldn't you know I have been given the lucky task of convincing these people of the joys of looking towards the future. On one side, they believe that municipalities lie about recycling and actually throw everything into the landfill that they collect in recycling bins. This probably has happened here and there, but I do not believe that is happening right now. On my other sides, kitty corner and beside me, they just do not have the energy or interest. This is a bummer.

Recycling Outreach and Recycling Laws

A few years ago, a man told me that recycling was a conspiracy contrived by the California government (he was from CA) to make people believe that resources are not unlimited, but that he knew in fact that there were endless amounts of trees. My guess is that this same fellow would tell say they are responsible for the introduction of global warming to put unnecessary fear into people.

For these people who would rather have aluminum cans and cardboard boxes buried in our landfills, rather than spend a few extra seconds to get them back into the supply chain by recycling, need laws demanding they do the right thing or neighbors willing to educate. Unless a law tells them to recycle for future generations, they believe it is left wing activism forcing the issue, which they need to reject.

Recyclers are a non-partisan group, with all types of backgrounds wanting to preserve the planet for now and the future. We need to combine our efforts to persuade non-recyclers to join us in this effort. If anyone reading this has some helpful suggestions on how we might go about convincing these people to get involved or change laws, please leave a comment.

Recycle, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

The people who are not participating with recycling efforts, do not realize that the number one recyclable found in garbage is paper. This seems like a no brainer to reduce, reuse and recycle. Even in the current form, there are lots of blank sides begging for attention.

Once we get these people to see the importance of the recyclables they come into contact with on a regular basis; such as paper, aluminum, glass, cardboard, and plastic, then we can expand our campaign to include recycling all electronics, such as computers, cellphones, batteries, televisions, all appliances such as refrigerators, dishwashers, and furnaces. Before we know it, they will be giving away compost for Christmas presents.

Yard and food waste make up a third of the trash, which eventually goes into the landfill. Of course these organic items will decompose, but what good is a rotting tomato that sits inside a plastic bag? If we redirect that waste by either composting at our own homes or finding someone who does, we can better use this resource and save room at the landfill.

Check out some great organizations that are working towards protecting the world, such as The Nature Conservancy and The Sierra Club.

Along these lines, you might want to learn more about businesses that are developing products and services to address these issues by checking out EcoGeek. It is awesome.

We are fortunate to have smart and motivated people focusing on how to make big changes with long lasting effects.