7 replies to this topic

[Canadant]

Where I reside we have strict rules on recycling. All plastics, metals, paper and organics must be separated or you face a penalty. Each has a separate colored bag.

Do Americans have to recycle?

[TennesseeAnts]

Where I reside we have strict rules on recycling. All plastics, metals, paper and organics must be separated or you face a penalty. Each has a separate colored bag.
Do Americans have to recycle?

Depends on the state, I believe. I know I don't have to, just toss everything into a black bag. But I burn my paper, so I don't have to waste gas money.

[Mdrogun]

In most, or all, of the US the only entities forced to recycle are corporations. When I worked at a restaurant we had to be very careful about what we threw out where because there were large fines for putting recyclables in the trash.

 

It probably just comes down to it being an unpopular decision and one that's unrealistic to enforce for every individual. I'm sure you would also have some kind of counter-reaction if the government forced people to recycle here. The vast majority of people in my state (Illinois) do recycle, but I feel like if they were forced to instead of encouraged to, then there would be rebellion based purely on the fact that they're being forced to.

Edited by Mdrogun, May 20 2020 - 8:32 AM.

[Serafine]

In Germany there's this "yellow bag" thing for plastics - problem is 1) half of that recycling trash either get incinerated or dropped onto a waste dump anyway and 2) the entire concept is absolutely pointless because by now sorting automation has become so good that we could as well just throw everything into one bag and sort it all at the waste gathering facility.

The only thing that does make sense is the organic waste bin because 1) you don't want to have that stuff in your normal garbage bin (in summer it attracts all sorts of insects and smells fairly disgusting) and 2) sorting out organic goo on a conveyor belt doesn't really work that well.

[Temperateants]

Our town provides recycling bins. It is in everyone's best interest to recycle. Plus recycling doesn't even have to be throwing stuff out. My parents right now are using used plastic milk bottles that have part of a side cut out to grow sweet potatoes, and plastic supermarket bags can be used to line a bathroom trash can to make it cleaner and easier to throw out. 

[ANTdrew]

Our town provides recycling bins. It is in everyone's best interest to recycle. Plus recycling doesn't even have to be throwing stuff out. My parents right now are using used plastic milk bottles that have part of a side cut out to grow sweet potatoes, and plastic supermarket bags can be used to line a bathroom trash can to make it cleaner and easier to throw out.

Same here in VA. It is entirely voluntary, but most everybody does it. One change recently is that glass needs to be taken to a separate location because it wasn’t cost efficient anymore in the street bins.

[Canadant]

Thank you for your responses. Just wondering.

[RushmoreAnts]

Here recycling bins can be bought just like garbage cans. I believe most houses I've seen with garbage cans also have a recycling bin as well.