2009.10.05
A recycled program
In an upcoming editorial we'll look at Roanoke's plan for a new recycling program that will bring a new business to the city, and possibly entice other communities to go all out for recycling.
As an added bonus, the city, starting in January, will have an outlet for colored glass. This might not mean much to the average homeowner, but is huge for taverns.
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I've been largely surprised at how limited the recycling programs are in this area. After living in Virginia Beach where almost everything can be recycled, it's been tough throwing so much stuff away. Down there, all glass, metal, and plastic can be taken...regardless of types, colors, or numbers. They also take all kinds of paper, clean cardboard, clean styrofoam, batteries, and a few other things. About the only stuff you still have to throw away is food scraps and recyclables that are soiled that cannot be cleaned.
Comment by Other John — October 5, 2009 @ 4:39 pm
I hear ya, OJ. In Hampton and Newport News everything seemed to be recycleable. I was flabbergasted that colored glass was not viable here. If we can get colored glass recycling here I will no longer feel quite so guilty for bringing home a 12-pack of Sam Adams Light!
Comment by Saintbridge — October 5, 2009 @ 7:29 pm
I hear ya on that SB. Between Sam Adams, Yeungling, and Heineken...I am bad on colored glass.
Comment by Other John — October 5, 2009 @ 8:30 pm
Landfill space is not an issue here unlike the coast
Comment by Henry — October 5, 2009 @ 9:11 pm
@4: Thanks for that interjection, Hank, but we're talking about being able to recycle. I'd like to have the option to do more of that here.
Comment by Saintbridge — October 5, 2009 @ 10:25 pm
Recycling, though a good thing for conserving landfill space (which is why my husband and I do it) is a money loser even in good times, and shouldn't be expanded at least until the recession is over. I heard through the grapevine that, for a time, some localities were picking up clear glass as recycling and sending it to the lanfill because there was no market for it. Is that insanity or what?
I get a nice giggle at Michiganders who say "Of course recycling is worth it. We get a dime for every aluminum can, here." They somehow think government subsidy reflects a "real" market. This is undoubtedly one of the reasons Michigan's economy has been in the tank even during boom years.
Comment by Suzie — October 6, 2009 @ 9:37 am
Saintbridge
We had a very successful recycling program in my former hometown until the local paper printed a photo of the recycling truck going into the landfill. They claimed they were overworked and couldn't handle more input.
I'm just saying.
Comment by Henry — October 6, 2009 @ 12:14 pm
@6 My understanding of bottle bills, such as Michigan's, is that consumers pay a deposit when they purchase soda, beer, juice and receive the deposit back when they turn in their empties. Not sure how that would cause Michigan's economy to tank.
@7 Henry, you may recall the Salem glass fiasco of 2007 in which the city kept collecting, could find no outlet for colored glass and took it to the landfill.
Comment by Luanne T. — October 6, 2009 @ 12:35 pm
Luanne #8
"Not sure how that would cause Michigan's economy to tank.
"Each year, this type of activity defrauds the state approximately $13 million," said Col. Peter Munoz, Michigan State Police director."
The simple reason is fraud which is present anytime the government attempts to control any market. All it takes in the aluminum can instance are a few crooked store owners working with crooks on the outside. http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/14214576/detail.html
So many problems would be avoided if the government would just BUTT OUT of business.
Comment by Suzie — October 6, 2009 @ 3:17 pm
As if criminals can't engage in solely private ventures. Or, here's one Suzie, maybe if the government butted out entirely and stopped having so many laws there wouldn't be any crime.
Yeah, that's the ticket.
The crime is beside the point. You implied the state paid for returns, thus causing its economy to tank. That just isn't so. I'd venture to guess Michigan's problems are far more complex than a bottle bill. I hear they're infested with unions and liberals.
Comment by Luanne T. — October 6, 2009 @ 3:26 pm
Luanne #10
"The crime is beside the point. You implied the state paid for returns, thus causing its economy to tank. That just isn't so. I'd venture to guess Michigan's problems are far more complex than a bottle bill. I hear they're infested with unions and liberals."
First, nobody said the can deposit was the sole reason for Michigan's staggering economy. Democrats have trashed that economy in all sorts of other ways. But, now try to stay with me on this: If not for the artificial market created by the government, there couldn't be this type of taxpayer fraud. Isn't it a brilliant idea to cost your state $13 million a year when it's economy is already in the crapper?
Comment by Suzie — October 6, 2009 @ 3:50 pm