Dallas (poorly) recycles

It's no wonder that 80% of the Dallas households don't participate in household recycling. The program here has been described as "feel good recycling" and is a far cry from what could be done. Last night (in the middle of the thunderstorm) I attended a meeting about the recycling program in Dallas. The more I know, the more I just have to shake my head in disgust.

When the contract with Community Waste Disposal, Inc. [CWD] was signed years ago, it covered types 1 and 2 plastic (PETE and HDPE) but only if they were plastic bottles. Later, they added type 3 (PVC), and they still must be placed inside a translucent blue bag (any other color will be rejected). It's a good thing that I didn't read the fine print, since I've been merrily tossing any type 1,2 or 3 plastic into my blue bag .. not caring if it was a bottle (with a neck) or not. Apparently, CWD can also recycle plastic types 4,5 and 7 but that's not publicized.

Also, the blue bags are hard to find; most stores don't carry them because so few people buy them. And when you do find them, they're more expensive than clear bags.

CWD also accepts newspaper and glass, but rejects the whole bag (with a bright red sticker) if you include other items that could be recycled, including cardboard. I suspect part of the problem is a poorly educated consumer, and other is due to stupidity. Perhaps there's also a degree of stubbornness from Texas Good-Ole-Boys who'd rather just toss their beer can in my front yard.

The US average for waste generated is 4 pounds per person per day.

Some new things are being tested, including single stream recycling (where your trash is sorted into recyclables and non-recyclable). The city will begin a 12-month pilot program in September 2004, for four homeowners associations: Bryan Place Neighborhood Association; Claremont Addition Neighborhood Association; Lake Cliff Homeowners Association; and the Preston Citadel Club.

One option (instead of blue bags) is the use of 64 gallon rollcarts for recyclables only) versus the 95 gallon rollcarts (for all other trash) they're using now. This solution would replace the twice weekly collection (from the 95 gallon rollcarts) that is in effect now.