"I criticized St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley's recycling program. I said he never should be re-elected because all us older folks were mad about the recycling program. I was very wrong. Each week I am amazed at the amount of recyclable materials in our bin. I also am amazed at the reduction in the amount of trash we send to the landfill.
But I still want to know why I have to pay extra to have something of value taken from the curb in front of my home. Is there a sweetheart contract somewhere in the recycling program?"
. . . . Bill McMullan - Affton
Friday, August 22, 2008
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An economic lesson is needed here. Our bin of stuff has no value, even if it was all aluminum cans...we would be lucky to get 70 cents for it. The trash man pays the same costs in gas and labor to pick up our recycling bins as he does to pick up garbage. The only difference is trash he has to pay to dump. Recycling is dumped free, or he gets a small rebate that might cover a few gallons of diesel.
ReplyDeleteRecyclables only have value after they are processed which takes sorting equipment and labor. When it is sold by the ton, all sorted by type, there is a profit, which goes to keep the processor in business.
I am glad Mr. Mcmullan is amazed by recycling. You are doing the right thing that will reward us all with a healthier planet and stable trash costs. That is the sweetheart deal!