12-10-2007, 04:46 PM
I've visited cities with effective recycling programs (read: mandatory). People sort their trash and put it to the curb on certain days. The truck comes and picks it up.
Ever cynical, I don't see people sorting and hauling trash to transfer stations on their own. Some people can't even pack out their rubbish and diapers from a fishing trip.
It's my opinion that mandatory sorting and home pick up is the only way to approach a no waste goal.
Difficult and expensive, yes, but it could be paid for partially by taxing packaging.
There was opposition to the Hi-5 bottle "tax", but it's proved very effective in moving plastic and glass bottles from the roadside to recycling centers.
A packaging tax would also incourage bulk purchasing which would decrease solid waste.
Ever cynical, I don't see people sorting and hauling trash to transfer stations on their own. Some people can't even pack out their rubbish and diapers from a fishing trip.
It's my opinion that mandatory sorting and home pick up is the only way to approach a no waste goal.
Difficult and expensive, yes, but it could be paid for partially by taxing packaging.
There was opposition to the Hi-5 bottle "tax", but it's proved very effective in moving plastic and glass bottles from the roadside to recycling centers.
A packaging tax would also incourage bulk purchasing which would decrease solid waste.