Filed under: Planeteer Communications
My town:
Columbus is a small town about 20 miles northeast of Madison. It has a mix of blue-collar and “old hippie” citizens. The town waste company accepts glass, metal, paper, cardboard (see below), and #1 and #2 plastic. Unfortunately, almost all cardboard packaging is “glossy” (i.e. the outside surface is shiny), so cereal boxes and most other packaging ends up in the trash. The limits on plastic stink too, since aside from plastic soda bottles (that are almost always #1), most plastic packaging is #5 or #6. That ends up in the trash, too. 
There is some good news, which is why I first came up with the idea for increased availability of designated recycling containers. The town recently received a grant for just this kind of thing, so I hope to convince them to divert some of those funds for setting up recycling barrels next to the trash cans around town.
SO… what is the recycling situation in YOUR community? How easy is it to recycle, and are there any measures in place to reduce or reuse first?
…Which reminds me, Columbus is currently testing different models of LED streetlights to replace the current low-efficiency lighting grid. I took part in a survey about them a couple of weeks ago- my wife and I walked around town with a survey sheet, noting which ones were too dim, too bright, or just right (and a few more criteria). Check out the Columbus Water and Light website for more energy-saving programs.
Marshall, WI – Scott Peterson
In Marshall, the village has contracted with Waste Management to collect garbage and recycling from homes and businesses. All residents must currently use official WM bins for garbage and recycling. These bins are emptied into the garbage truck using an automated arm. We are able to put just about everything in the recycling bin, including cereal boxes, and no more bundling of newspapers or boxes. Complete list of what’s acceptable is here.
On public streets, there are very nice garbage containers that appeared in 2006. Before this, individual businesses could provide bins if they wanted to. Village Clerk, Sue Peck, says there are about 12-15 bins around town and that they cost about $300 apiece. The bins were purchased using Tax Incremental Funding as a part of a downtown revitalization project. A recycling component was considered, but ultimately the higher cost ended that possibility.
Surprisingly, some businesses complained about the new garbage bins being placed outside their buildings. The bins were moved away from these complainers. Also, some businesses allow the bins to fill up completely and make no effort to take care of them. I guess the business owners would prefer garbage to pile up on the street outside their doors! The Village is ultimately responsible for maintaining and emptying these bins.
What would people do if a recycling bin suddenly appeared on the streets next to, or a part of, the garbage bins?
Muskego, WI
Muskego is a suburban town in south eastern Wisconsin. Every household has a full sized recycling container that is placed on the curb along with the trash cans on the trash pick up days. These bins are made to last for years and are payed for through taxes. There is list of acceptable and non acceptable items for the bins, including some directions like to bundle newspapers in stacks no higher than 10 inches. The usual limit on only #1 and #2 plastics also applies.
From my understanding, the city does not have public bins for trash or recycling. All waste disposal units are under the control of the business that places them there. Units are usually secured in some way so that they can not be carried off, or blow away in a storm.
Overall I would consider recycling easy in Muskego. But like with most things, the responsibility to recycle is placed on the citizen. Things like advertising is present in newspapers to help encourage people to take part in the act.
Adam Wiegel
Belmont, WI
Belmont WI is a small town in the southwest corner of Wisconsin. It has only about 900 people. They do have about the same things as the other towns. We have the recycling bins that people place outside of their houses for pick up along with the garbage bins. They do not have very many garbage bins around town and I know that they do not have any type of recycling bins around town for people to place recyclable items in.
I think that if we were to place recycling bins around town we would be able to collect quite a bit. It would save my town a lot of garbage that is now just thrown on the ground.
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Sounds good!!!
Comment by Sonya L. 09.26.08 @ 4:29 pm