Lin wrote:
> Ed Pawlowski wrote:
>
>> At work we recycle certain foam plastics. It is amazing how many
>> people drive over to us with a big SUV to drop off a tiny bit of
>> plastic to recycle. They burn 20X the amount of gas than they saved.
>> It they toss it in the trash, it goes to a trash to energy facility
>> instead.
>
> So, I marry Bob and decide that I need to get with the "green" program.
> We pay our CRV fees with every plastic and aluminum purchase. I sort,
> clean and otherwise store all these recyclable items for a full year in
> the garage. I mean, the green glass can't possibly go with the clear
> glass. It all has to be color coordinated. I was also very picky about
> separating the types of plastic items by size, original CRV value and
> color. Load them into my SUV (filled the back and all open spaces),
> drive them to our state-of-the-art waste facility (yes, there's an SUV
> there with a young couple getting pennies for a few cans).
>
> Even after all the careful sorting, I'm learning what I really needed to
> do and am RE-SORTING things (with four or five employees jacking their
> jaws showing me where to throw things.) Then the cashier says ...
> "Here's your $24.36." Well, FTS. We pay a PREMIUM for our trash services
> here. They can now sort my trash. However, I do still separate the
> glass, plastic and aluminum and when the trash goes out those are in
> their own bags. Interesting thing is the only time they provide us with
> a recyclable "container" it's a blue plastic bag for our paper products
> and junk mail -- and those I have to get from City Hall. (Or should that
> be City "Haul"?)
>
> I can guarantee you our CRV/deposit amounts were several times more than
> what we got back. For $24.36, let someone else do the work. And if
> there's someone around that wants the cans, I have no problem letting
> them have them.
>
> --Lin

Perhaps one day the states will learn that packaging disposal becomes
the burden of the producer.

Plastic bottles alone are a problem now being addressed here in oz
as in Banned see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvzTr1VOK90



However, the Vinyl Chlorides in a lot of other packaging has us pulling
our hair out


Make the overall *true* costs flow through all levels of the
production and distribution chains including disposal . Then market
forces will start to solve the many problems given time and Government
leadership. It will cost no doubt but the simple truth is down
streaming the problems is not the intelligent approach.

Although this chap took a thinking outside the box approach (just hope
he does not live near salt exposed air )
http://i.treehugger.com/images/2007/...-can-house.jpg