Answer to Recycling Question

[RecycleMichael]

You don't have to use the little green bins, but need to use a bin that is not too heavy or too big for the workers to unload.

I think the recyclables are hand-sorted so that container in your picture is probably much too deep.

Many people keep their glass bottles in a five gallon bucket and use the green bin for the paper, plastic and cans.

[sgrizzle]

My recycling bin is 4'x6' and has a tailgate. No space issues.

[pmcalk]

quote:Originally posted by recyclemichael

I have a few left for $40. They are the Garden Gourmet brand that sells in garden magazines for twice the price. I am not in the retail business so call the office and make arrangements.

I also have designs on my website for making your own.

http://www.metrecycle.com/compost.htm#howtobuild

The ones you build work way better than the ones we sell.

Thanks, I will call today.  I have tried to create my own in the past.  Unfortunately, a little know secret about those of us who live near the river--we have a bit of a rodent problem.  I wanted something that is enclosed completely, but don't want to spend $100.

[patric]

quote:Originally posted by brunoflipper

pisses me off that none of my neighbors participate because they refuse to "pay to recycle" and they can all afford it...

It seems so bass-ackwards sometimes.  You would think that those who send everything to the landfill would be paying a premium, while those that recycle get a break.
Would be another incentive...

[RecycleMichael]

We are working on it.

I am in favor of a residential garbage service that offers me choices like a volume-based price.

We have also been discussing having one day of service for trash and one for recycling instead of two days a week for trash.

Recycling has been a long struggle for us in Tulsa. It is hard to get the attention of the elected officials when everybody loves their trash hauler, their service level and the price.

I keep trying to tell the elected officials that we need changes and they say "why fix what ain't broke".

Despite this, we are making good progress. Stay tuned.

[carltonplace]

quote:Originally posted by pmcalk

quote:Originally posted by recyclemichael

I have a few left for $40. They are the Garden Gourmet brand that sells in garden magazines for twice the price. I am not in the retail business so call the office and make arrangements.

I also have designs on my website for making your own.

http://www.metrecycle.com/compost.htm#howtobuild

The ones you build work way better than the ones we sell.

Thanks, I will call today.  I have tried to create my own in the past.  Unfortunately, a little know secret about those of us who live near the river--we have a bit of a rodent problem.  I wanted something that is enclosed completely, but don't want to spend $100.

pmcalk, Speaking from experience: rodents can chew through nearly any container if they want what is inside badly enough. Unfortunately, this means leaving the food items out of your compost heap (with the exception of coffee grounds). Leaves, grass clippings and other yard waste will not attract them.

[pmcalk]

quote:Originally posted by carltonplace

quote:Originally posted by pmcalk

quote:Originally posted by recyclemichael

I have a few left for $40. They are the Garden Gourmet brand that sells in garden magazines for twice the price. I am not in the retail business so call the office and make arrangements.

I also have designs on my website for making your own.

http://www.metrecycle.com/compost.htm#howtobuild

The ones you build work way better than the ones we sell.

Thanks, I will call today.  I have tried to create my own in the past.  Unfortunately, a little know secret about those of us who live near the river--we have a bit of a rodent problem.  I wanted something that is enclosed completely, but don't want to spend $100.

pmcalk, Speaking from experience: rodents can chew through nearly any container if they want what is inside badly enough. Unfortunately, this means leaving the food items out of your compost heap (with the exception of coffee grounds). Leaves, grass clippings and other yard waste will not attract them.

Really?  That's too bad.  I was really hoping to create some good compost, now that I have a bigger yard.  I always feel a little guilty throwing out all of those vegetable peels, egg shells, etc...

RecycleMichael--any suggestions?

[PonderInc]

My aunt lives on a farm outside of Stillwater, which means that every so often we have to haul her trash to the dump.  (For those of you who wonder what that big mountain is by the Perkins Road turnpike exit... that's the dump.  Oh yeah, and a few years ago, it was a huge ditch...)

If you've never had the priviledge of visiting a city dump like this...it's humbling.  You look around and see tons of recyclable materials and excessive packaging being plowed into a hideous stew of garbage, poisons, plastics, appliances...and realize that our trash doesn't just "go away" when we toss it out by the curb.

Thanks to Micahel, the MET, and everyone else who cares enough to recycle!  (One planet. One chance to get it right.)

[carltonplace]

Land Fills always seemed like ridiculous ideas to me.

"This Land is now filled. Don't ever dig here..ever...again". What a waste.

[RecycleMichael]

I am not a big fan of landfills either.

I think they are constant reminders of our failures. We failed to buy the right amount or build the product so it would last or even failed to recycle it.

That small mountain outside of Stillwater is depressing. What a gift for future generations.

[carltonplace]

quote:Originally posted by recyclemichael

I am not a big fan of landfills either.

I think they are constatnt reminders of our failures. We failed to buy the right amount or build the product so it would last or even failed to recycle it.

That small mountain outside of Stillwater is depressing. What a gift for future generations.

What about the beaute of a butte being built just to the north of Mohawk Park.

[pmcalk]

I am growing very frustrated with my recycling services.  Our green container is too small, and overflows between pickups.  So, on one of my trash cans, I have written in large letters "recycling."  I put it off to the side with the green bucket, away from the other trash cans on pick up day.  Week after week, the recycling people have not taken it.  In fact, the trash people take it more consistently than the recycling people.  I would say something to them when they come by, but they usually come at 6 am.  Has anyone else had this problem?

[RecycleMichael]

You should contact the city with this complaint. Call the Mayor's Action Center at 596-2100. If that doesn'r work, follow it up with a call to the public works person who is recycling coordinator. Her name is Laureen Gilroy and her direct line is 596-2859.

The recycling contractor is supposed to accept recylables in any container clearly identified as you have.

One solution is to ask for another green bin. They will bring you another one out for a one time $4 charge.

[PonderInc]

What's the official scoop about recycling paper grocery sacks with the newspaper?  I use the paper bags to store and carry my newspapers for recycling.  Whenever I go to a MET dropoff location, the guys empty the newspaper and return the empty grocery sacks to my trunk.  I would prefer to include them with the recyclables, if this is appropriate.  (At the schools where they have green bins for paper, everyone seems to dump their papers in with the grocery sacks...)

[jne]

What can I do with these ink/toner cartridges?  I have a growing pile of used cartridges in our office lobby. The office supply vender used to pick up their own products for recycling when replaced, but we recently switched vendors.  Some of these things have free UPS shipping labels, some don't.  I'd rather just take them somewhere (if its not terribly far) and drop them off.  Anybody know who will take them?