July 13, 2015
1460
To the Editor:
While many of us feel good about our recycling efforts, the end result may be discouraging. Did you know that from our recent Scottish Festival event, all bags from the 24 recycling drums were deemed garbage? That’s because any item that is not considered to be recyclable (and thus a contaminant) renders the rest of the contents “garbage”.
While “laziness” is no doubt a large component, “ignorance” may also be a contributing factor. While I can’t help laziness, I’m hoping to address the ignorance component. If more people realize the ramifications of their actions, perhaps they will change their behaviour. In so doing, perhaps influence others to do the same.
While I mentioned the Scottish Festival above, it’s ditto for Connaught Park, Station Beach, and the Davidson Centre.
The bottom line is this: we need to do a better job on the front end. Take the time to sort recyclables from garbage items. Most barrels accept cans and most types of plastics. Labelling on the sides of the barrels will define what is acceptable. If still uncertain, put the item in the garbage bin.
Besides the feeling that you’re doing a good thing for the environment, it also reduces the strain on our local dump.
With co-operation from the Davidson Centre, we’re hoping to place posters on recyclable drums to encourage people to observe correct behaviour on this issue. “Contaminant equals garbage”.
With fingers crossed, thanks in advance.
Doug Holtby
Kincardine
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