New Haven Independent

Posted by: nfjanette | June 30, 2009 12:23 PM

It hopes to get there soon with a switch to "single stream recycling." That means that people will throw all their cans, newspapers, mixed paper and bottles into one bin.

And they'll use the big 96-gallon bins that the city now has people use for regular trash.

These changes should significantly reduce the current hassle of preparing the recycling for pickup. I agree with their assessment that this will help increase participation - possibly dramatically.

The city will distribute smaller toters for unrecyclable household trash.

That idea may not so good. It follows the theory of trying to force residents to reduce the volume of trash, but instead may result in overflowing trash in the smaller containers that will spill out into neighborhoods. That would be a step backwards for both refuse management and efforts to improve the livability of neighborhoods.

Posted by: Mom2Eli | June 30, 2009 12:54 PM

I live in the Dwight-Kennsington neighborhood and, frankly, I gave up on trying to recycle. Why? Because 75% of the time that I put out my carefully sorted recyclables they were not picked up on trash day. So, I would then have to haul them back into the house, often the same thing would happen the next week (and by then the bin would get too full). After about 6 months of this, I gave up. I wondered if the recycle rate was just too low in my neighbor to make pick up system work. Anyway, I gave up trying.

Posted by: James | June 30, 2009 1:17 PM

Why not just enforce the current program? Wouldn't public education and possibly fines be cheaper and possibly just as effective? Why not start there and see where it leads. If that's not effective, then it may be time for a new policy.

Posted by: Streever | June 30, 2009 1:48 PM

nice work Sherril, Veronica, and everyone else!

Posted by: JZ | June 30, 2009 2:44 PM

Whoops, I think I already do single stream recycling. I have one bin and I throw the glass, plastic and cans in it. Cardboard seperate (we don't have newspaper). Someone please tell me the correct method, if that's not it.

Posted by: DEZ | June 30, 2009 3:11 PM

I agree with James. If you travel Fair Haven from the river towards the center of the city, you see fewer and fewer (if any) recycling bins on trash night, which means only one thing. There needs to be massive education and then enforcement of the 20 yr old DEP mandate. With the meagre amount of recycling going on, I'm sure the fines would add up tidily. The home owner, regardless of the rental situation, should be responsible. On another note, I was pleased to see my recycling bags with yard waste go into the regular trash last week. I only wish I had enough room to compost all of my woody yard clippings.

Posted by: Our Town | June 30, 2009 4:49 PM

I recycle all the time, and the current method works for me...I have no room in my aparment for those big bins, and I will not be able to recycle if they are used.

Posted by: Beansie's Mom | June 30, 2009 5:06 PM

I with Dez. We put recycling out. Fine those that don't.

Posted by: Ian C | June 30, 2009 5:39 PM

I'd like to see a learning center built at the at the transfer station that school kids could take a trip to to learn more about the benefits of recycling. Would also be great to see a "take it or leave it" at the recycling center as opposed to the current "bring it and dump it" mentality. The city should also offer a place for construction debris to be brought to. Sometimes a weekend home improvement project that doesn't require a full dumpster of debris can be put off simply because their isn't an avenue for disposing small piles of demo. Even if the city charged for transferring it.

Posted by: Sherill | June 30, 2009 7:04 PM

Collecting recyclables in a 'single stream' is becoming a hot new trend both nationally and in Connecticut. It is catching on because overall residents find that it's more convenient. Most communities also change to a larger bin with the switch - making it easier for folks to put more recyclables at the curb and the lidded container means less 'wet' materials and/or recyclables flying down the street.

Single stream refers to the way recyclables are collected and the methods used to process them for end markets. Currently we have a 'dual' co-mingled system. We co-mingle containers (plastic, metal and glass bottles & cans) and co-mingle fibers/paper (newsprint, cereal boxes, junk mail) and cardboard on the side. The changes, if and when the occur, means all our bottles and cans, paper and cardboard can go in the one cart.

For folks who find it too large - it's meant to be an outside container, not to be brought indoors. I know I use a smaller bin in my kitchen and empty it periodically into our blue bin, and will most likely continue this system with the larger cart. At this time the City is seeking ideas for using our old curbside blue bins - if you could continue to use them for recycling - what a great use!

And yes, despite any change in the recycling program, we will continue to have challenges.

Sherill
New Haven Master Recyclers

Garbage Can Be Fun!

Posted by: Been Called Worse | June 30, 2009 7:41 PM

Moving to NYC from New Haven last year was a culture shock as far as recycling goes. But after a few weeks you get used to it.

This pretty much sums it up (link to pdf):
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dsny/downloads/pdf/contact/requests/decal_request/res_recy/checklist-sticker-secure.pdf

And its about time New Haven started getting $$ back for its recyclables. That stuff is big business and can save a tremendous amount of money on the non-recyclable charges.

Posted by: Tonko | June 30, 2009 8:54 PM

Does anyone know how to recycle electronics (computer monitors, etc.) in New Haven? Any information would be appreciated!

Posted by: Nan Bartow | June 30, 2009 9:02 PM

Sherill and Veronica, thanks for your amazing volunteer work.

Posted by: observer | July 1, 2009 12:51 AM

"For folks who find it too large - it's meant to be an outside container, not to be brought indoors."

The damn things are horrendously ugly, and they're visual blights on the neighborhood when kept outdoors. I manage to keep ours in the garage, but there absolutely will not be room for another one.

We do fine with the existing recycling bin, which does fit in the garage, and we recycle scrupulously. It sounds as if we are going to be penalized because of the lack of cooperation of others.

Can they, at least, MAKE THE NEW BINS SOME DIFFERENT COLOR? NOT THE SAME ATROCIOUS BLUE? Green? Brown? Some kind of color that at least tries to imitate what's found in nature? And that would have the additional benefit of helping the sanitation men easily distinguish the regular garbage from the recyclables?

Posted by: Sherill | July 1, 2009 6:05 AM

Ian C - we don't have a our own 'trash' museum - but there are two great ones in the state; one in Bridgeport and one in Hartford. Check them out:

http://www.crra.org/pages/edu_museums.htm

As for reusing building materials - you can give or donate items to a number of facilities in CT. Check out Reuse Centers and Material Exchanges. The closest ones are in Hamden and Bridgeport. And I agree, it would be great to have one in New Haven.

http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2714&q=324904&depNav_GID=1639

And thanks for the suggestion for a Take it or Leave it spot.

Sherill
New Haven Master Recyclers

Garbage Can Be Fun

Posted by: Fred Davis | July 1, 2009 8:34 AM

I am glad that New Haven is looking for better re-cycling solutions. Much successful work has already been done in other cities. California has several factories set up to separate recyclables. There are also a few cities with factories that separate their whole waste stream into salable commodities. With a properly engineered system, New Haven could be making money on garbage instead of spending it...!!
Here is a two minute video showing a modern Ohio
recycling plant...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAQ4AMGQ9N4

Posted by: JSJ | July 1, 2009 10:05 AM

FYI: here's a link to a pdf that shows what can & can't currently be recycled in New Haven & how it should be arranged in the currently used bins. (If anyone knows if this info is out-dated, please post a follow-up!)

http://www.cityofnewhaven.com/PublicWorks/pdfs/Recycling_Program.pdf

Posted by: Our Town | July 1, 2009 3:31 PM

Sherill, if you are still reading this...I have no place inside or outside to store a 96 gallon (or even those smaller ones) container. If that is the only option, I will not be able to recycle.

The hand tote bin is perfect for me.

Posted by: debra lombard | July 1, 2009 3:48 PM

I know in my area a lot of people don't recycle things that really should be brought to Goodwill or Salvation Army etc. Yalies throw out so much usable stuff every week with their moving in and out of apartments all year long. Items I find on the streets all of the time include: clothing, books, kitchen stuff, furniture, futons, rugs, uneaten food, broken electronics etc. It's a crying shame. These people know better but are too lazy to bring their stuff to the donation centers, which for the most part do NOT pick up stuff. Even if one does not own a car, rent one or borrow one to bring your reusable goods to a donation center. UrbanMiners.com will even come get your usable building materials if you do not need them. There's no excuse. As far as recycling of paper goods goes, it's very hard to put out paper goods for recycling (mixed paper, paper board, cardboard etc) when it's raining the night before or AM of your recycling pickup. HOPEFULLY the new recycling containers meant for the street will be covered to acomodate paper goods for recycling. As far as electronics go, I believe it is illegal to put that stuff in the trash so tickets should be issued. Maybe Yale and the City can jointly open a free household donation center, there are several of them around the country and they only need a few volunteers to manage it. I have seen two such working centers one in San Lopez Island, WA and one in Bolinas, CA.

Posted by: Sherill | July 1, 2009 5:51 PM

Electronic recycling options are currently in transition. Does that help you today? No.

However, the state has a new regulation, like someone also mentioned, for TVs and computers. Implementation will be later than expected - most likely in January 2010. So with budget issues as they are, I believe New Haven may not be choosing to hold a one-day electronics collection like they have in the past. Unfortunately recycling electronics (TVs and computers) does cost money.

There are many options, however, if you're looking to recycle cell phones, and mp3 players etc.

Visit What Do I Do With...?
http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2718&q=325496&depNav_GID=1646

Look under electronics, consumer electronics, cell phones. Sorry it's not the easy answer many are looking for.

Those reading and interested in sharing - I encourage you to share opportunities to better the trash and/or recyclig program. Or, if you need to vent, completely understand, but then take a breath and offer us a way to help solve it - and not just for you, but to create a better system for all to benefit from.

Much of the proposed changes for the recycling program are set in stone. The New Haven Master Recyclers hope to make suggestions and help to educate and increase awareness where needed - but we are not the City nor the Authority. Constructive ideas will help us all move forward together.

Thanks for the encouraging words and ideas!

Sherill
New Haven Master Recyclers

Garbage Can Be Fun!

Posted by: Elm City to SoCal | July 2, 2009 3:47 AM

My husband and I moved from New Haven to Burbank, CA last year. One of the many, many surprises was that the city provides us with three equally large (96 gallon) wheelie bins -- one for non-recyclables, one for garden clippings, and one for recycling, which is done single stream. It is FANTASTIC! There are very clear instructions on the top of each bin on what may or may not be placed in the bin. There is also the instruction that residents should not put out the recycling or clippings unless they are at least half full (garbage will always be picked up, no matter how little). We recycle without even thinking about it now, which is exactly as it should be. In it all goes -- paper, metal, glass, cardboard. There are also easy-to-use recycling centers in town for larger items. I can't even believe New Haven ever thought that dinky little bucket was enough for a week's worth of recycling.

Posted by: Streever | July 2, 2009 9:52 AM

James:
At a community meeting in East Rock we decided that fines would be too punitive on those members of our society who have less education & are harder to reach. Not everyone reads the NHI/has e-mail/trusts City Hall. Better to not punish them for not understanding.

Posted by: Been Called Worse | July 2, 2009 10:45 PM

Streever,

Usually I find your responses here well thought out and insightful, but I have to take issue with your reason as to why fines are a bad idea.

Are you referring to fines based on the current recycling system, which could be written to violators at any time (ie today)? Then I agree, mostly.

However, if moving forward with the city's new system that the article mentions, it is completely practical to fine offenders, and not offer them a pass because of the reasons you state. I believe this initiate requires a heavily promoted educational campain, perhaps a phase in period where people who do not seperate recyclables are given warnings for a period of time before dollar amounts are attached to their transgressions. I do, however, find the excuse that people no do "trust Cityhall" to be a horrible argument for not implementing fines.

Posted by: Brian35 | July 3, 2009 11:26 AM

Single stream recycling for New Haven is a great idea. My only concern would be the repurposing of the blue roller bin. For many years now people have used this for household trash. Wouldn't it be better to issue a Green roller bin for recycling and not mess with trying to get people to change their ways anymore than is needed. Just change one step and not two. Its hard enough to get folks to recycle within new haven as it is.

Also, the trash collection people should not be putting your leaf bags in with the refuse pickup. There is a separate pickup for lawn waste. Those lawn bags add greatly to the $70.00 a ton it costs the city for trash. The lawn bags are ment to be picked up and mulched/composted within the city at Chapman property adjacent to the transfer station.

Posted by: eddie | July 7, 2009 3:48 PM

Why should I pay fines? It's my city -- I pay taxes. It should figure out a way to collect recycling efficiently. Bad public policy? Pheh! It's simple: the less painful the city makes it, the more people are going to comply. I don't need a nanny state telling me how I should be doing it.

Posted by: eddie | July 7, 2009 4:12 PM

Why should I pay fines? It's my city -- I pay taxes. It should figure out a way to collect recycling efficiently. Bad public policy? Pheh! It's simple: the less painful the city makes it, the more people are going to comply. I don't need a nanny state telling me how I should be doing it.