Recycling isn’t a big deal, or is it?
by: TRINITY WHITEFORD staff writer, JOIE BALDYGA content editor, & MARIA LINCK content editor
I stand before two bins. I have always been an environmental advocate; every day I bring my reusable water bottle, I turn off lights when I leave a room, I even went vegetarian for the environment. Plastic fork and paper plate in hand, I stare into the depths of each bin, trying to decide what to do. The bright blue recycling bin stands empty, while the ominous black trash can is nearly filled to the brim. What do I do? My conscience struggles for the answer. I am stressed. Beads of sweat form on my forehead. The fork and plate tremble in my hand: Can the fork be recycled? Do I have to wash it first? Do I make the hike to the bathroom and do my dishes in the dirty sink, waiting for my peers to judge me, or do I take the easy route and simply expel it to the depths of the black bin? I don’t know. I still don’t know. Now I’m embarrassed. The plate is sealed with wax, so it goes in the trash. Right? But it’s paper, so shouldn’t it be recyclable? So many questions race through my head. I try to scrape the food off the fork, but as I try to clean it, I think, How clean is clean enough? I don’t know. I give in. The fork and plate drop into the trash. I think of all the steps I’ve taken to make my life more environmentallyfriendly, and yet I don’t know what to do with a plate and fork. Shame floods my face.
ITEM RECYCLABLE or NOT RECYCLABLE Plastic and Glass bottles Recyclable Cardboard (when flattened and Recyclable dry) Sharp and Dangerous Items Not Recyclable (Glass mirrors, tv/monitor glass, wondow glass, CDs and DVDs) Aluminum Foil Plastic or paper cups and plates with a wax coating Chip Bags Kitchen shrink wrap, plastic grocery bags, and styrofoam (egg cartons, cups...) Packing Peanuts
8 // BGQ // January 2020
Recyclable
WHERE/ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Curbside recycling or any recycling facility Curbside recycling or any recycling facility Recyclables are sorted by real people, so sharp materials are dangerous for workers Curbside recycling or any recycling facility
Not Recyclable Not Recyclable Recyclable Recyclable
Foil-lined plastic like chip bags and candy wrappers cannot be recycled because the foil cannot be separated from the plastic Curbside recycling or any recycling facility Not recyclable curbside but facilities like Bay Area Recycling for Charities, Handle With Care Packaging Store, and Stained Glass Cabinet Co. will take packing peanuts to be reused of recycled
