How disinterested or lazy can we be regarding recycling? We are running out of landfill space, our streets and towns are littered, our oceans are clogged with plastic – and it seems like we couldn’t care.
I did a survey of streets in my area and I was shattered to see how few people recycle waste. The big black bin is for non-recyclable rubbish (food scraps, nappies, small broken appliances, broken cups and plates, light bulbs, dog poos and cold braai ash). This, in theory, should just be a tiny amount in a black bag and is taken from the wheelie bin by the first Pikitup truck (the big bin was supplied before recycling started). Don’t shove everything into the big bin. Take a little time to separate the recyclables.
Later, the second truck collects the clear plastic recycling bag, supplied by Pikitup. It is for plastics, polystyrene, glass, cans, bottles, milk and juice cartons (do not put this bag into the wheelie bin.) They will leave a new clear recycling bag if you have put your recyclables out. At the same time, it also picks up the third heavy, reusable hessian bag which is for paper, magazines, cardboard, newspapers and telephone books (do not put this into the black wheelie bin). This is emptied and returned to you. Simple – and it will save our planet.
Some of the maids and gardeners I spoke to said “the people are lazy” and “when I come back on Monday after the weekend everything is just mixed up.” I have also seen gardeners putting grass cuttings, stones, sand, rubber and rubble into the wheelie bins. Owners stuff everything into this non-recyclable bin. Rather take these to your nearest municipal dump as with fridges, paint tins, large or broken appliances, oil, harmful waste, all batteries, fluorescent and light bulbs, etc. Make the effort.
I suggest getting two extra smaller bins and make an effort to recycle. They do not take up too much space.
One of the problems is that the drivers do not drop off new recycling bags if people have not left the two filled bags outside. Phone Pikitup on 011 375 5555 if you are not receiving your recycling bags weekly and ask them to drop them off on their rounds – you are paying your rates and taxes for this essential service. In Switzerland they have to buy prepaid stickers, costing R75, to have a small bag of non-recyclable rubbish taken away. If you have problems, get a reference number from Pikitup and then escalate via your councillor.
Please start today. Let’s be passionate about recycling for the sake of our kids and grandchildren.
Bob Clark
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