The Observation Deck

So I saw a line item in one of the fiscal strategy documents was "Mandatory Recycling". Now I'm not against it since I already recycle and I wish more people did. But I'm just wondering what exactly is "mandatory recycling"?

I just have visions of garbage police rifling through your trash to make sure you've recycled, but I'm sure that's not it.

I'd guess it would have to do with what's missing and the amount of refuse put out.

We give our paper to DH's church. We often give aluminum cans to firefighters.

But we do recycle. Just about everything possible!

Does anyone know the exact guidelines for what Lakewood will take and not take? We do our newspaper in cardboard boxes or paper bags, and our plastic in plastic bags, but I heard they can't recycle all plastic, and not to put lids of water bottles in there. They have been picking up our plastic detergent bottles, but are we not supposed to put lids on those?

I think ideally, with those big plastic laundry bottles, shops that sell detergent to refill the bottles could save a lot of plastic!~

Justine,

Here are the guidelines from the city's website...though I too am unsure about the bottle tops.

http://www.ci.lakewood.oh.us/pdf/Blue%2 ... -12-08.pdf

Since they have expanded the plastic you can recycle we are amazed at how little we throw out.

I've wondered how "mandatory recycling" would be policed. You would think saving the city money would be enough of an incentive.

I think mandatory recycling is a really good idea. Not only is it simply the right thing to do, it will save the city money. The city will save money on landfill space and create funds by recycling.