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Mark Martinho ~ December 23, 2009
Heated Debates over the Practice
of Scavenging for Recyclables |
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We’ve all seen it, people picking through the recycle bins out on the curb for cans. This is particularly annoying when it happens at 5am and wakes you up. I have walked into several conversations regarding the subject of recyclables scavenging and been surprised by very strong reactions by some of our Redwood Citizens.
The people that are strongly opposed to it bring up safety and financial reasons for opposing this practice. They do not like people ‘sneaking’ around in the middle of the night, sometimes stepping on their property to get at the recyclables. People are woken up by the noise of cans or sometimes dogs barking. In the confusion of waking up, one does not always recall that it’s recycle day and that someone is perhaps just taking some cans. Maybe someone is breaking into a car or home? |
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Then there’s also the financial argument. That the company that picks up our recyclables still has to visit every home, but only gets to retrieve the less valuable items. They still have the same overhead to pay and less recycles to sell. Does the consumer then get stuck with higher rates because we want to continue receiving the recycle service? No one in the conversations I walked in on could quantity whether the recycle companies were loosing money due to scavenging. However, Allied Waste does claim that scavenging does impact our rates and that the practice is theft.
The group not opposed to the practice of taking recyclables justifies it under humanitarian reasons. They basically state that if people are out at 5am collecting cans, these are hardworking people who are desperate for the money and obviously willing to work hard to make a few bucks. They claim that Allied does not really make money off the recycle program, but again can’t really cite facts to back this up.
While the practice is a little irritating when it wakes me up in my nice warm bed, what are our options? Are we going to call the police? Will they even respond to such a call? Do you want someone with little money to pay a fine or go to jail. I imagine that putting people in jail for stealing recyclables is going to be way more expensive than a rate hike by Allied Waste for its recyclable losses?
What do you think Redwood City? |
Hi Mark,
I saw your website regarding recyclables. FYI, we just had dinner with RWC friends and had this conversation. I don’t want anyone taking anything that does not belong to them without permission. Secondly, I just today put out a sealed up plastic bag, yes, in the rain, to donate to an organization that will pick it up. I wouldn’t be happy if someone else came along and took it. I really support this charitable organization, and I would like to think that I have a choice in where and how I donate, and how I recycle. You pose an interesting question. For me, the bottom line is I don’t want anyone taking anything without permission. I feel invaded when it happens. I have seen reports in the police blotters of citizens calling and complaining, but I am not there yet!
Have a great weekend!
Best,
Liz Rhodes |
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