what would make you....?

Question

recycle more?

Most councils now collect most things from the side of the road and it seems so easy yet loads of people still arent doing it enough.

What kind of promotion would really appeal to you or your agegroup to change the way you act???

to let you know hedgybear i work for a council im trying to improve things with real views and ideas we're not all the same and yes i do understand some councils do have rubbish policies and bad staff

Answer 1

I love the curbside recycling at my house and I have tried to get my whole family to recycle.
But we're sometimes unclear on exactly which materials are allowed in the recycling bin. The instructions we've received are kind of vague, and that means that sometimes I don't put certain items in the recycling bin because I'm not sure if they can be recycled or not. I could be possibly putting recyclable items in the garbage as a result. So clearer instructions would help me.

Answer 2

Being cynical - people seem to fall into two groups: people who care about their environment and will make some little sacrifices to recycle, and those who think the environment is someone elses problem and cannot be bothered to do even the minimum, even when the facilities are provided.

It basically comes down to personal responsibility. Our council provides collection of glass, metal, organic, but not plastic or card board. So we hold onto our plastic bottles (goes to plastic bottle bank) and cardboard (goes to recycling at the local tip). Our silly council allows garden waste (good), uncooked veg (good), but not it it has been cut. I.e a whole apple is OK, but two halves is not allowed.

I am afraid awarding doesn't really work and monitoring waste and penalising does (to a point). Then we come to a situation were you have to lock you bins as people try to get rid of their excess. Education is probably the key at an early age.

Age group 30-35.

Answer 3

Ha! You have obviously never been to Weston-super-Mare. Here's a letter which I put in the local paper a couple of weeks ago.

20th January 2007

Weston & Worle News
Elton House
Albert Road
Clevedon
BS21 7SW

Dear Sirs

Re: Recent Recycling Article, W&WN, 18th January 2007

I read with interest your article regarding the failings of Weston’s recycling service, in this weeks’ issue of Weston & Worle News. I too have endured a less than pleasing experience with these people which I’d like to share.

Being a good citizen who believes in such green issues, I first put out all of my old newspapers on the designated collection day. The green box was left at the kerbside as instructed. When I returned from work, the box of newspapers was still there, albeit somewhat soggy as it had rained that day.

When I rang the helpline number, I was told that the newspapers had not been collected most probably because they were wet. When I pointed out that it would be difficult to keep things dry because the boxes had been issued without lids, I was told quite sharply “that’s not our problem, we don’t give out lids. We can’t control the weather you know!”

Firstly, I feel that the public should be informed of this “wet newspaper” policy, if indeed it actually exists. Secondly and more importantly, the response that I received to my enquiry was clearly that of the stereotypical council worker. But my question has to be - why do they employ such surly, unhelpful dispassionate people to operate a helpline?

Kind regards,

Answer 4

I love recycling our rubbish, I feel as though I am doing something to help out. In our kitchen I have 2 bins, one for plastic waste and the other for compost. My family aren't too clever and always moan that it's too difficult and don't know what goes in which bin so i stuck a list of items on each bin. Our council give us biodegradable bin liners which are so easy to use. I can't see any way to get people to recycle more, it's so easy it just needs effort on our behalf.

Answer 5

The real fear of prosecution, with all the associated hassle, by a bunch of un-elected bureaucrats for inadvertently 'contaminating' my rubbish in my rubbish bin, when I pay a good proportion of my £1300 p.a.council tax to have the problem resolved,doesn't persuade me to 'help'.
I am a wild-life enthusiast, however, and I enjoy taking the kids to the bottom of the garden, late at night, when the moon is full,to watch the rats gambol playfully among our enforced re-cycled kitchen waste. Everything has it's upside I suppose.

Answer 6

Need space at home to "store" recycled stuff before taking them for recycling. Need something to put them into.

Promotion? Would suggest to start from school (kindergarten). Charge each and every plastic bag requested from shops/supermarkets, down-payment for each and every bottle purchased and refund upon return. Incentive for every community who participated aggresively. Show/advertise more horrors of rubbish gashed around the world and its effects.

My age group? 30-50's

Answer 7

i agree clearer info on what can be recycled and bigger boxes!!! our council did a message in a bottle competition to win prizes... made me consciously think about recycling daily!!