Waste Not, Want Not ‘We can make a difference by recycling’

 

Last summer when Environmental Services Director Dan Hecht pointed out the new mandates coming indicating the County is expected to recycle 35% of our trash in the future, it was time to take this dilemma seriously. A great deal of waste, food, packaging, cans and bottles often end up in the landfill without a second thought. 

While it was pointed out that some agencies are at odds with one another and don't always agree on what can and should be recycled, I hope we can see a connection in our way of living and what we personally could do to help change things. A way to handle all that trash may seem overwhelming, but with a little planning to  take it somewhere for recycling, it is an effort worth making.

So, I have been challenging myself ever since to recycle every can I open, every carton, and the paper I am tempted to throw in the trash in an effort to see if I personally can make a difference in my own life and not contribute to the problem.

Recently, a discussion with Environmental Services Director Dan Hecht provided some tips about recycling. He said to make it convenient in the home by separating out the recyclables into a separate container, for example, a box, paper bag with handles, or old garbage can that can hold a lot of recyclables before needing to make a trip to the recycle drop off sites in Bagley and Clearbrook. 

What can be recycled? Containers of all types, such as plastic bottles, cans, both aluminum and tin, and glass jars. The metal lids can be recycled but should be left off of the jars. Paper and cardboard are a good items to recycle as well. The County saves money in this way. 

“When we send recyclables though, we don’t pay anything. Polk does the processing and marketing of the recyclables and retains the revenue for the recyclables, but that saves us money because the revenue from recyclables figures into their overall budget and helps keep the tipping fee for trash down,” Dan Hecht said. 

“Paper and cardboard are good items to recycle because those are both relatively heavy and have good recycling markets, so they bring in a good amount of revenue.” 

It is important to remember that just because something is made of plastic, or contains metal or plastic, not all products containing these are recyclable. Plastic toys and small appliances, such as a broken coffee pot, and auto parts do not belong in the recycle bins. 

While there is no additional cost to recycle, Mr. Hecht says that in his estimation only 10% of residents actually participate in recycling. He says it definitely would make a difference if we would do more to recycle what can be recycled, and plans to address the issue more fully in a future article. 

Other areas that often go untapped are schools and businesses that may have much food and/or paper that could be recycled. He says there is a MPCA Grant in the works that could help with composting of wasted food products. As far as paper, it takes the same effort at a work place to set aside the paper for recycling and for someone to make a trip to the pick up sites. That extra effort could add a lot to the recyclable tonage that would help meet the county goals.

Regarding plastic, a recent MPR story reported that a large grocery firm in Holland is leading the way to start eliminating plastic food containers, swapping for recyclable containers. They believe the day has to come when plastic is no longer used, when mandates require the discontinuation of plastic use in order to help the environment.

Partially, our power is in what we spend our money on in the grocery and other stores. Do we really have to buy all that prepackaged stuff and cook for convenience? Instead, why not consider cooking from scratch, and by doing so, provide healthier meals for the family. And less goes into the trash.

When I was growing up, we were encouraged to clean up our plates. While that plate of food didn't literally help anyone starving in the world, there is a principle here worth emphasizing. If we teach our children to not waste food, we can help them see that the resources saved can really help to feed others.

Back to my original plan to see if it makes a difference at my house, I have seen the bags of recyclable items accumulating while lessening what I actually have to throw into the garbage that is picked up each week. With a trip to the recycle bins near the fair grounds every couple of weeks since I have been making a concerted effort at this, I feel some pride in the contribution I can personally make. 

I am only one person, so households requiring much more food and other commodities than I do  could likely see a bigger benefit by setting aside boxes or bags to collect what they could take to be recycled. Get the family involved, and be creative. I'm sure you can generate more ideas than one humble journalist to make a difference. 

Happy recycling!