Bottle Collectors Often Make Large Blue Recycle Bins Unnecessary

We all try to do our part to beautify the environment and of course recycle our aluminum cans, empty bottles, milk and juice cartons and newspapers. It gives us a feeling of civic pride and personal achievement as we proudly transport this protected form of refuse out the door of our residence and outside to the appropriately labelled garbage receptacle. We are doing our part to make a difference in the world.

Municipalities apportion huge sums of taxpayer money to ensure that the familiar blue containers are perched right along side the more traditional form of trash bin. Each container has its own line of refuse to contend with and handle. The familiar recycle logo is boldly emblazoned on the outside surface of the blue industrial sized receptacle.

There is a group of people who on a daily basis monitor both types of refuse containers and who are able to eke out a decent living by removing the recycled material from the receptacle,taking it in to the local recycling centers and receiving cash payment for their efforts.

These individuals are the more industrious and financially aggressive street people who have their own daily collection schedules meant to coincide with the dropping off of refuse in both styles of bins.

They have their own specialized tools and devices which allows them to effortlessly open a blue garbage bag, remove the contents, inspect the nature of the item tossed away and then place the item in a special container (usually located on their aluminium push cart or bicycle ) for easy transport to a nearby collection center.

I spoke with a few of these unofficial recycling collectors and they told me that on a good week they can make $300 to $400 tax free income. The type of work is not the most desirable but the income is acceptable to most of these people.

There have been efforts to have the recycle containers play a musical tune whenever someone tosses a recycled item in the container. In Sweden the bin thanks the person for doing such a good job.

The recycle bins serve as unofficial clearing houses for the bottle collectors to gather their presorted booty and head for the nearest recycling center. I suppose they should be applauded for their efforts and aggressiveness.

Municipal leaders should realize that a majority of the outdoor collection receptacles provide a meager livelihood for these folks and should cut back on their efforts to place more and more musical garbage containers in our neighbourhoods.

The one issue that needs clarification involves the policing of the bins and the issuing of tickets to those people obviously thwarting the law and making a living off its avails. In the long run why punish homeless people for trying to make ends meet the best way they know how.