Draconian recycling policies due to new garbage entity.

[SwampSurvivor]

In my area, they have recycling "events", and drop locations for many things that are forbidden in the regular trash. They had a tire recycling event three weeks ago, that we took advantage of.

My county has a huge mosquito problem. The dumps recently started accepting tires for their standard trash rates. That helps some

 

[Owen Lucas]

If they find recyclables in the garbage you will be fined and visa versa.

So they will go through your regular garbage? Rip open the bag and dig through it?

I know people, who uh, put gallons of oil into their garbage along with oil filters 3x bagged. No one cares.

Going to the parts store to recycle it is messy, annoying, and a 50% chance they won't take it.

These Draconian rules and fines ruined the entire recycling effort. If in doubt, people put everything in the recycling bin over fear of being punished. It contaminates the recycling with oily carboard and whatnot.

My MIL once had her recycling not picked up because there was a pizza box that had some cheese on it. She cleans out the metal cans and plastic bottles. I told her she's wasting time doing the recyclers work, using fossil fuel to heat up the water so some 3rd grade dropout doesn't get mad. When I do her garbage it all goes in a bag, who cares.

GreenPeace claims plastic recycling is a scam anyway:

https://www.greenpeace.org/usa/merchants-of-myth/

 

[Rmay635703]

So they will go through your regular garbage? Rip open the bag and dig through it?

I know people, who uh, put gallons of oil into their garbage along with oil filters 3x bagged. No one cares.

Going to the parts store to recycle it is messy, annoying, and a 50% chance they won't take it.




My MIL once had her recycling not picked up because there was a pizza box that had some cheese on it. She cleans out the metal cans and plastic bottles. I told her she's wasting time doing the recyclers work, using fossil fuel to heat up the water so some 3rd grade dropout doesn't get mad. When I do her garbage it all goes in a bag, who cares.

GreenPeace claims plastic recycling is a scam anyway:

https://www.greenpeace.org/usa/merchants-of-myth/

Plastic recycling is a scam , #2.4.5.6 can be converted to a diesel fuel like substance for 99 cents a gallon

 

[Owen Lucas]

#2.4.5.6 can be converted to a diesel fuel like substance for 99 cents a gallon

For that cheap? I figured it would be more cost effective to do so from crude rather than reverse the process that it took to make the plastic from petroleum. That would be awesome!

 

[oil pan 4]

Recycling isn't easy. With all the different types of plastic, for example, that can't be mixed. Not to mention, the cost is high. In many cases, recycling costs more than recreating the materials in question from raw materials.

See

O

Thread 'I always hear "solar panels are recyclable" well now it's time to test that IRL'

Jul 20, 2024

Some of my solar panels got smashed by hail. I'm replacing them with used, very cheap utility grade panels made for extreme weather.
What to do with the old ones?
I'm thinking cut the MC4 connectors off with all the wire and put them with the spare panels for later use.
Then try to rip the aluminum frame off the glass and backing recycle that obviously.
Then for the glass, solar cells and backing, just stuff it in a dumpster and don't worry about it. I recycled some of the panel so that counts as "recycling it".

• oil pan 4
• Replies: 45
• Forum: General and Off Topic

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[Rmay635703]

For that cheap? I figured it would be more cost effective to do so from crude rather than reverse the process that it took to make the plastic from petroleum. That would be awesome!

Depends how much you care about it being an in grade #2 vrs #3 in weight, it’s sulphur free and a bunch of folks were doing it at home back in ye olde times ~2007+ during the Bush fuel crisis . It behaves like a mix of light kerosene with #3 mixed in but its consistency varies with the type of plastic, #6 styrols are on the heavy end.
Some went as far as to try to source the anti-oxidants so they didn’t need to worry about burning it off frequently.

 

[John Galt]

I started reading / skimming after a bit of your post, but what I would do is BAG EVERYTHING and put it in the garbage bin. No recyclables unless you're 150% certain they're "okay" items.

Yup, the law of unintended consequences rears its sensible head once again. Why risk the fine, bag it in black plastic in regular garbage.

 

[Hall]

If in doubt, people put everything in the recycling bin

I'm the opposite. Our recycle bin gets filled more than our garbage bin, but if I'm unsure about an item, it goes in the trash, not recycle bin. Pizza boxes are always a mystery. I understand when they're soaked on the bottom with grease, so those go in the trash, but often places use a 'liner' sheet on the bottom and the box remains 100% clean. That's clean cardboard to me and it goes in recycling.

Maybe ironic, but in my area, they tell us to not bag recyclables

The bags people put things in typically aren't recyclable, plus they need the items loose in order to sort them.

 

[Leo99]

I'm the opposite. Our recycle bin gets filled more than our garbage bin, but if I'm unsure about an item, it goes in the trash, not recycle bin. Pizza boxes are always a mystery. I understand when they're soaked on the bottom with grease, so those go in the trash, but often places use a 'liner' sheet on the bottom and the box remains 100% clean. That's clean cardboard to me and it goes in recycling.

The bags people put things in typically aren't recyclable, plus they need the items loose in order to sort them.

They sent us a township wide bulletin regarding pizza boxes showing examples of what was an acceptable and unacceptable amount of grease to be eligible for recycling . Before that they didn't want any pizza boxes.

 

[Arc]

Our new state mandated garbage company has a mile long list of conflicting requirements for garbage and recyclables in a booklet they sent. Yet no “composting “ option that would normally accompany such rediculously draconian requirements, this area is a semi rural non-HOA subdivision of single family homes.

Most everything is followed by “you will be fined.”

Nothing can go in the bin without a bag which is a source of pollution in of itself, they don’t want anything messy or leaking to touch their garbage can,
many of the small plastic toys, broken pieces, toasters and a bunch of other strange crap that contains metal appears to need to be brought to a local junkyard 10 miles away that is conveniently open Monday through Thursday 10am to 4pm and may charge fees.
Going to recycling they have an extensive list of requirements about condition of recyclables being clean and spotless things that are and aren’t recyclable including plastic caps/covers that are both not recyclable and apparently are recyclable with no explanation.
Same for goofy fruit/veggie containers and their associated covers both are and are not recyclable , no explanation but anything black definitely not.

And I could go on…


In the past, oil filters, cleaning paper towels and the empty oil containers were required in the garbage no matter what because local oil retailers would absolutely not accept them.
Based on the long but still confusing and incomplete requirements oily paper towels and the used oil filter likely need to go ??? Because nobody wants them and they are “messy”. The oil container would need to be clean and spotless because recyclables can’t go in the trash for any reason.

Same issue with containers with spoiled food that may be damaged, sink is instaclog, composting milk, meat and other things has a stench which is also banned but said spoiled items might make a mess in the can so a the container is required but it can’t be a recyclable container and it can’t leak.

If you think what I wrote is long you should see the pamphlet, it’s amazing how long something can be while communicating absolutely nothing.


And remember every sentence I wrote above includes you will be fined.


Years ago our town had a hairbrained idea to recycle all plastics and quickly banned all styrene, all plastic bags and all fruit/ veggie containers no matter what number they were because they were always combined with problematic labels and construction with no market.

Regardless of their rules I will “do my best” but they will never get spotless garbage.

I’ve been angered by neighbors burning plastic in their wood burner but I think I know why now.

Sounds like they don't want to pick up garbage even though that is their job.

 

[John Galt]

They sent us a township wide bulletin regarding pizza boxes showing examples of what was an acceptable and unacceptable amount of grease to be eligible for recycling . Before that they didn't want any pizza boxes.

Again, the law of unintended consequences strike again. In my area the “greenies” went all out against what they deemed paper and plastic waste and really picked on the take-out side of restaurants. The Chinese places were all by forced to abandon the ubiquitous paper cartons in favor of the plastic clamshell because some claimed the grease on the paper cartons made them unrecyclable. Maybe true and a good idea?

Next they went after the pizza places who, back then, always lined the cardboard boxes with a sheet of waxed or butcher paper. The paper liner kept the box surface dry but was always thrown away as garbage. Eliminating the waste of the liner paper was the target of the legislation. It was just a fraction of the weight. The boxes were (back then) recycled

The pizza parlors went to placing the pizza directly on the cardboard. Instead of being protected from the grease, the cardboard became a grease sponge and soaked up the grease. It took a couple of weeks but the rats realized that cardboard recycling area was filled with grease soaked pizza boxes and became overrun. The town put out an emergency directive that all pizza boxes were now to be discarded in trash and not recycled. Pizza boxes made up a large part of the cardboard stream back then, now they are in a landfills. Progress?

 

[oil pan 4]

These Draconian rules and fines ruined the entire recycling effort. If in doubt, people put everything in the recycling bin over fear of being punished. It contaminates the recycling with oily carboard and whatnot.

Yeah don't recycle oily cardboard. Throw it away. It costs more and uses more energy to clean the oil out of cardboard then it does to just get new cardboard.
I can recycle oily cardboard, in my wood stove.

 

[alarmguy]

There is no recycling in our county or any restrictions. (we live in an HOA not that it matters but was mentioned in the OP)
You have the option to have recycling if you want it but it's an extra annual fee. Some people pay it, not many, the benefit is you get another large trash container.

 

[Pablo]

Bag all of it in a dark colored bag and put it in the trash bin. Life is too short.

That is what always happens.

And

The most important point to make is that they pick up your recycles and CHARGE you for it. Think about that for a second.

Yep.

 

[Hall]

You have the option to have recycling if you want it but it's an extra annual fee.

That's moronic. We should be paid (or at least credited or discounted) for recycling, not have to pay extra.

 

[oil pan 4]

Again, the law of unintended consequences strike again. In my area the “greenies” went all out against what they deemed paper and plastic waste and really picked on the take-out side of restaurants. The Chinese places were all by forced to abandon the ubiquitous paper cartons in favor of the plastic clamshell because some claimed the grease on the paper cartons made them unrecyclable. Maybe true and a good idea?

Next they went after the pizza places who, back then, always lined the cardboard boxes with a sheet of waxed or butcher paper. The paper liner kept the box surface dry but was always thrown away as garbage. Eliminating the waste of the liner paper was the target of the legislation. It was just a fraction of the weight. The boxes were (back then) recycled

The pizza parlors went to placing the pizza directly on the cardboard. Instead of being protected from the grease, the cardboard became a grease sponge and soaked up the grease. It took a couple of weeks but the rats realized that cardboard recycling area was filled with grease soaked pizza boxes and became overrun. The town put out an emergency directive that all pizza boxes were now to be discarded in trash and not recycled. Pizza boxes made up a large part of the cardboard stream back then, now they are in a landfills. Progress?

Turns out these self righteous, self proclaimed environmentalists don't actually know anything about the environment, animals, recycling or anything about any kind of industrial processes.
It's all feelings, devoid of any facts or logic. Any facts that fall inline with their beliefs are circumstantial, also few and far between.
Yeah oily, greasy paper and cardboard recycles about as well as coffee faxes. Have you ever tried to fax coffee? Coffee don't fax worth a dam.

 

[alarmguy]

That's moronic. We should be paid (or at least credited or discounted) for recycling, not have to pay extra.

Yes, strange isnt it? I guess bottom line, recycling does not pay the costs to supply the trash cans, labor and trucks to pick it up. When you think about it the cost MUST be many times higher than what the recycled garbage brings it.

Personally for me and most people in my community? No one cares. Since the country doesn't recycle I can thoughtlessly not have to bother separating my garbage. I enjoy our super low taxes here in the mostly land of the free.

 

[Pablo]

Where we used to live in King Co, they charge for picking up yard waste/compostables in the large Grey bin. They would then compost and bag it. And sell it. Hmmmmm....

 

[4wd]

Turns out these self righteous, self proclaimed environmentalists don't actually know anything about the environment, animals, recycling or anything about any kind of industrial processes.
It's all feelings, devoid of any facts or logic. Any facts that fall inline with their beliefs are circumstantial, also few and far between.
Yeah oily, greasy paper and cardboard recycles about as well as coffee faxes. Have you ever tried to fax coffee? Coffee don't fax worth a dam.

 

[4wd]

Yes, strange isnt it? I guess bottom line, recycling does not pay the costs to supply the trash cans, labor and trucks to pick it up. When you think about it the cost MUST be many times higher than what the recycled garbage brings it.

Personally for me and most people in my community? No one cares. Since the country doesn't recycle I can thoughtlessly not have to bother separating my garbage. I enjoy our super low taxes here in the mostly land of the free.

Our recycling ended when some do gooder found out the county used jail inmates to sort stuff - it let them earn early release days - they didn’t have to do it …