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Proper Recycling
Posted by phish on December 13, 2007 - 10:14am.

I live in a large condo community. Our city has an excellent recycling program, accepts all plastics (#s 1-7), and provides our community with a sufficient number of recyling bins...4 per street. 2 large blue bins for plastics and 2 large yellow bins for paper.

 Unfortunately, some residents do not know how to recycle properly, or are just too lazy to do so (I give everyone the benefit of the doubt).

I see plastic in the paper bin and paper in the plastic bin. I see people put their newspapers for recycling into plastic grocery shopping bags and put it in paper bin or vice versa. Empty cans in the paper bin, etc. You get the idea.

I try to avoid confrontation, so I instead printed a Recycling Instructional page from our city's website and taped it to the dumpster door, which is where the recycling bins are located. Our community groundskeeper tore it off, saying NO ONE is permitted to post anything on our dumpster houses or the mailboxes.

I have gone so far as sorting through the bins and separating them to their proper bin. Unfortunately it has become such a clusterfuck that it would take me 30-45 mins a day to do this on a daily basis. I do not have that kind of free time. Plus, no one likes picking up after other peoples' crap.

 How do you propose I resolve this issue without starting a 'beef' with any of my neighbors?  How do i show them how easy it is to recycle properly and that it takes absolutely no time whatsoever  to do so, it just becomes instinct after time.




<em>ostm0003</em>'s picture
Affirm it and it will be.
by ostm0003 on December 20, 2007 - 10:45pm
That's too bad the groundskeeper won't help you with this. What I find works the best in these situations is using affirmations and visualizations. I know it sounds out there but it works. Each day just say "Thank you universe for sorting this out." And then see it as so in your mind. It will either on work out on it's own or you will come up with the perfect idea to help. It works for me almost everytime. It's worth a try. It may take a few weeks so be patient:) Otherwise just lead by example. Make it a point to take out your recyclables  when others are around and they might get the idea by seeing how much it means to you to do it right:) Blessings, Michael. 

 

 

 

"It's never too late to begin anew."


<em>holbunny</em>'s picture
Make an event out of it!
by holbunny on February 25, 2008 - 5:14pm
Would your complex be open to having a block party?  I'm thinking of doing this in my housing development around Earth Day.  I'm going to see if I can get a rep from the city or the waste company to talk to the crowd about proper recycling and maybe getting a rep from the local power co to come out and give energy-saving tips.  This way you aren't the direct source of the info but you can educate your neighbors and have a good time at the same time.  Reason I'm thinking of organizing around Earth Day is so I might be able to get some local businesses to make a few donations.
<em>Evolotus</em>'s picture
The direct approach
by Evolotus on March 15, 2008 - 1:41am

I wonder if it would pay to hand out the one-page info sheet to residents directly, slip them under doors, etc.

I find kids understand these issues better than their parents. Perhaps if there are kids in your complex, they could be the ones to pass along the message. (And a kid would probably separate the trash for five bucks a week.)


<em>taraburner</em>'s picture
Stay positive
by taraburner on July 23, 2008 - 6:49pm

Stay positive and do what you can...be glad that your complex even has it, most here in S. FL don't :(
Tara

 

http://www.TaraBurner.com

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<em>wahm922</em>'s picture
I agree
by wahm922 on July 23, 2008 - 8:38pm

Our recycle program is so limited in my county, more goes in the trash then in the recycle bin.  Sadly people just don't know how to recycle or just don't care to learn.

I'm a firm believer in positive affirmations, if you put it out there the universe will respond.

Thank you for caring enough to make a difference! 


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