Upping recycling in Boston
By adamg - 5/2/06 - 5:11 pm
Eeka wonders: Why doesn't the city just start fining people for placing any recyclable item in the trash?
... Visible recyclables would warrant one of those green tickets affixed to the house like people receive for putting trash out before 5pm in neighborhoods where the city actually cares about such things. The city could easily afford periodic enforcement with the money they'd be saving on landfill service. ...
Comments
Boston and Mandatory Recycling
As someone who works in the Recycling world, I understand the challenges facing communities when it comes to recycling, but I would like to clarify a few misconceptions for the readers.
In terms of Mike Mennonno's email being misconstrued because he was directed to contact code enforcement is not true. While correct in saying that there is no violation for leaving the bags on the curb, there is a violation for having the trash strewn about from having the bags ripped open by scavengers (which unfortunately, is not necessarily the homeowner's problem). Code Enforcement (Inspectional Services) is the correct department to contact for this violation as they handle *all* violations for the City.
The state has established waste bans that prohibit recyclables from being disposed and there are mechanisms in place to encourage stronger participation, but the fact of the matter is, there will always be recyclables in the trash. And while you are correct in stating that the city would save money on disposal costs if more recyclables were removed from the trash, it still costs money to collect the recyclables and to suggest that the City would have enough revenue left over to fund curbside inspections to fine residents while a wonderful thought, is far from feasible.
The only way to increase recycling, is for a community to pass a Mandatory Recycling Bylaw, or better yet, get the state to pass Mandatory Recycling. But because Massachusetts is still living with homerule, and because we have an administration (both locally and nationally) that doesn't view environmental issues as a high priority, the funding and capital needed to get that kind of legislation passed and effectively enforced is a pipedream.
Don't get me wrong. I am all for recycling. I am one of the biggest tree huggers you'll find in this city, but in this case, the simplest sounding solution, just isn't that simple.
Business recycling as well...
Cambridge businesses are pretty good at recycling -- but an office in, say, the Hancock Tower? Forget it.
There is a loophole in the law. The gist (jist?) of it is that property managers need to provide recycling stations for their tenants, but the specifics as to transporting these recyclables is not addressed. Nor are they monitored (obviously). In their defense: often these stations are largely limited by space. But seriously, beyond that, often the property does not provide the necessary facilities to remove recyclables from any of their offices and down to the loading dock. And why should they if it's not profitable for them?
Conscientious companies -- as far as recycling goes -- find themselves in a difficult position. I have several times put pressure on our property management to facilitate our recycling needs: and it finally has paid off. Cambridge, especially the MIT area is particularly good about recycling... but if you are in another area, and management is not keen on providing recycling services... then good luck.
You will be referred to another company that picks up recyclables for sure (ie: "Save that Stuff") but these same vendors do not provide in-house service.
IOW, if it's not your property, don't expect management to be too keen on you putting recyclable waste on their sidewalk. But if you can negotiate this arrangement with them, all the power to you!