recycling

Raising Levels of Recycling Recycling involves using materials which are at the end of their
useful lives as the feedstocks for the manufacture of new products. The keys to improve
participation in recycling are to either make recycling easier, to increase the reward for recycling
(or the negative consequences of not recycling), or both. Deposits on beverage bottles can be
thought of as a powerful monetary incentive for engaging in recycling. The five or ten cents per
container is successful in achieving the return of the majority of containers. Drop-off programs
would be more effective with other types of rewards, such as raffles, contests, and prizes, in
order to promote participation in recycling. Adequate publicity and education is very important
for both drop-off and pickup programs, as is community involvement in the program. As an
additional incentive for consumer participation, the drop-off centers could be set up as theme
parks to make recycling fun. Circus themes would be popular, along with riverboats, railroads,
and mining camps. The emphasis would be to make the recycling centers clean, efficient, and
family oriented. Curbside pickup programs is another means of increasing the level of recycling.
Curbside pickup could be more effective if the program offered weekly collections rather than
monthly ones and also by having the collection of recyclables on the same day as normal garbage
pickup. I think that it is necessary to keep the recycling containers (Blue Boxes) to maintain the
participation of recycling. The containers provide two functions, especially if they are bright and
easily visible; they provide convenience in storing separated recyclables and they facilitate peer
pressure to reinforce recycling behaviour (if your container is not at the curb, all your neighbours
will know you are not recycling). Making recycling mandatory rather than voluntary would raise
the amount of participation.