As I think more about recycling and the need for improved recycling services and for residents to buy into recycling, I find myself pondering over how these things can be made to happen.
My brother used to live in Oswego, NY. Oswego, as in many other towns and cities in the U.S. , requires clear garbage bags for garbage and recycling. Recycling is also mandatory. If garbage is found in the recycling bags, and vice-versa, the residents are fined.
When I lived in Maryland (where I grew up and lived until 9 years ago), I was required to sort all my recycling to be able to participate in the curbside recycling program. It wasn’t a big deal, really, and became part of what Imy regular daily routine as a homeowner and a resident. I had all my paper bags lined up under my laundry table – aluminum, cardboard, general recycling (paper, etc.), glass, plastic. The recycling truck that came by each week was compartmentalized so that the person picking up the items simply deposited the different sorted bags into the appropirate compartment. It’s also important to note that this town was/is a small one – about 5,000 people.
While this concept is a good one (getting people to sort their recycling), on the other hand, having the recycling sorted at the site creates more jobs. But then the issue is – do the sorters take their time and truly make sure all recyclable materials are indeed recycled? It would be interesting to spend a day following the truck that picks up all the curbside recyclables.
What would be best to get citizens to be more adamant about recycling?
Deanna Dee-Dee Taylor 
Curbside Recycling
We just got our Recycling cans last week and I have already filled mine. I think this will make a big difference if everybody actually uses them. There is of course the chance for abuse and I hope those people don’t spoil it for the rest of us. I am going to encourage my neighbors to use theirs too. When they dropped off our containers they didn’t even give us a list of things that should be placed in there. I was very disappointed with that, because most people know that you can recycle newspaper and cans but most don’t know that they can also recycle plastic bottles, cereal boxes, and tons of other things that you don’t even think about. I was able to put about 3/4 of my “garbage” into the recycler. That’s a pretty serious number. I hope that more people get the recycle bug the same way I have. I think even those who only recycle their newspaper and cans will help a little. I did catch one of my neighbors outside and I lifted their garbage can lid and showed them about 15 things that they could put in the recycle container. Her response was that she wasn’t sure what could go in there so she was playing it safe. So while I applaud the county for their effort to bring curbside recycling to us, I am disappointed that they didn’t make a full out effort to let residents know how to use the containers.
Re: Curbside Recycling
Our city provides us a list with our water bill each year of what is recyclable and what isn’t. Maybe you could contact your city office or public works department?