Dear Recycling,
I used to happily do you. All the time. In Canada growing up, you were nice and easy. In Korea, I have to admit you were a bit annoying because so many things could (and were encouraged to) be recycled and I had to drag you into a smelly, sketchy alley. In America, though, in America we’ve gotta talk.
You are surprisingly so incredibly difficult here in the States.
Maybe because I’m not in a “green” area per se, but it’s a good-sized city and there’s no residential pickup at all. Last week we drove more than 20 minutes out of town to drop you off, my dear recycling, at a self-serve dump. That was fun. I was expecting to toss and go, but alas, I had to sort you myself on the spot then throw you out anyway as I found out so many things aren’t even recyclable here!
Yogurt cups? Microwave trays? Paper and magazines? Plastic wrappers? Denied. Only the basics are even recycled in the first place.
I swing between feeling guilty and feeling lazy whenever it’s time to toss something out. Guilt is my only motivator for doing you now, to be honest, because I was raised that you’re a good thing, mother earth, blah blah, and I do drink my fair share of bottled water as I’m a bit of a tap water snob. But when I’m at the dump sorting through my garbage because I didn’t realize all these wrappers and containers were suddenly non-recyclable, well, that’s a whole lotta effort for me. I’m not so into the hands-on thing where you’re concerned.
Is that bad for me to admit that I only do you when it’s easy? You pile up and take away my precious counter space and I’m so tempted just to throw you in the garbage these days. I had a blind eye to the situation in Central America but now… oh recycling. What are we going to do? I hope I can get back to doing you all the time but here in America I just don’t know.
Love from your lazy Canadian friend,
Danielle
Do you recycle or are you judging me too? I'm curious to hear your take on it. Leave a comment below!
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I totally agree! When I was in university, so much was diverted from the trash. I got so used to organics and recycling everything! When we moved to Alaska, I was super shocked that recycling was practically invisible. We weren't in an area with regular recycling pickup, so we had to drive out of our way to a depot. Even then, what could be recycled was minimal. The thing that killed me the most was that since everything has to be shipped out of the state on a boat, there wasn't any glass recycling!! It was way too expensive to ship. I felt so guilty throwing glass into the garbage. For a place largely untouched by man, it was kind of disappointing to see.
ReplyDeleteI'm able to recycle quite easily where i live in FL. The city that I live in provides a large bin and they pick up every 2 weeks.
ReplyDeleteAhhh! I totally get it! We live a rural area that only recycles "narrow necked" #1 plastic. I cringe inwardly very time I have to throw away a perfectly recyclable plastic container because they don't take it. This simple eco act shouldn't be so difficult! Did I mention we have to haul our own garbage and recycling to the town dump? Oy. I'm not a finicky girl, but curbside pick-up is a "luxury" I look forward to upon moving. :)
ReplyDeleteYou're in the south where they don't do "that there recycling." LOL! Where I grew up recycling is nonexistent. I didn't even learn about it until I went to college.
ReplyDeleteI'm really lucky in terms of recycling facilities provided around here - there is a pick up for paper, card, plastic bottles, glass and cans. Then every local supermarket will have places to recycle batteries and carrier bags and other bits and bobs. There's not a lot that you're forced to put in the bin, but if I'm honest I am sometimes a little lazy even when it's made so easy for me!
ReplyDeleteI feel your pain!! The only reason why I recycle is because here in Austin, everyone is an environment freak. Don't get me wrong, I care about the earth, but if it became a hassle for me and if the man that comes around every week to pick up the recyclables from my house stopped coming, I would not be recycling until it became convenient again. On that note, definitely not judging you, haha.
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