SO, here’s the thing: Although it is the right to do, recycling has become a huge pain in the buttocks. BUT, here’s the other thing: Although it is a huge pain in the buttocks, we must still do it.
There are a few reasons creating the “perfect storm” that has brought us to this point in time, but regardless of what they are, we are the current generation responsible for our planet’s future not to mention the future of our great-grandchildren and beyond. I know that sounds dramatic but when I consider that my mid-seventy-year-old parents have 11 great-grandchildren the future seems closer than ever.
For me the biggest pains in my buttocks are having to clean the yuck out of the bottles, cans, pizza boxes etc. and trying to remember that the soda cup from McDs is ok but the lid and straw are not. I have a couple of ideas that may lessen the pain.
Our Town should invest in fridge magnets that spell out the Dos and Don’ts. These should be available at our public facilities for those who want them and, more importantly, attached to the OOPS notices on non-compliant recycle bins.
When it comes to having to wash our recycle stuff the thought that crosses most minds is, “my water bill will go up b/c I have to rinse/wash everything so it’s cheaper to put it in regular trash.” THAT is true unless adjustments are made.
After a couple of months of adjusting I discovered that what works for my household is keeping a second dishpan to gather recycles throughout the day then when I wash dishes by hand or have water from cooking spaghetti or from rinsing veggies/fruits I put that water in the recycle dishpan. At the end of the day I clean the recycles and put them in the bin. I then use the water for plants. I know what busy parents are thinking, “no way I’ve time for that every day,” but this is where the future generation comes in. Most children five and older can handle the chore of cleaning the recyclables that are in the dishpan.
Today I had an epiphany because of the 9/13 issue of this informative publication. I will purchase a Rain Barrel (deadline for ordering is 9/30) and use the water collected to wash recyclables then water plants.
Fairhavenites, we can do this so please DO NOT be deterred by the new regulations.
Diane Hahn, Fairhaven
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Click here to download the entire 9/27/18 issue: 09-27-18 MillicentOpenHse
