By Stephanie Keep
As a self-professed recycling zealot, I was so happy to see The Citizen is taking on recycling. I think so many people want to do the right thing, but the information is not clear enough.
I’ve heard from many people, for example, that plastic bags can be recycled because they have a number. Indeed, that is confusing! So I think it’s not enough to say, “don’t recycle plastic bags” I think we need to say, “even though many plastic bags have the recycling symbol and a number, they cannot be recycled curbside. Instead, bring them to the grocery store.”
A few other questions for you to consider exploring in the column:
- What else can go in those grocery store plastic bag bins? I think it’s any kind o stretchy plastic, right? That would be great to advertise!
- Can we recycle shredded paper? (I know the answer is no, which I think it super surprising — would be great to explain why and to get the word out)
- Can you recycle straws? What about bottle caps?
- Why don’t all the restaurants in town have recycling? I wrote to Starbucks once and asked, and the manager told me it has something to do with collection? It seems ridiculous that it isn’t a town law that recycling be available everywhere! How can we make that happen?
- I know we don’t have to sort paper and metals/plastics anymore…but should we? Would it help cut down on contamination?
- Is it now very important that we rinse out food containers before recycling? Do they need to be clean, or just rinsed?
- What should we be recycling that we’re probably not; and what shouldn’t we be recycling that we probably are?
It’s so easy to get disheartened but in a bonkers world where it feels like problems are too big for any one person, I think that it’s important to get the message across to everyone, especially our kids, that small actions can make a difference.
Will I solve the recycling crisis by bringing home my coffee cups? Of course not—but I figure that a few fewer coffee cups in the ocean or in a landfill is a good thing no matter what.
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