30ashopper
SoWal Insider
Has anyone ever seen any figures on how successful the blue bag recycling program has been, and how much extra revenue it's generated?
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Blue bag revenue?
- Thread starter 30ashopper
- Start date
30ashopper
SoWal Insider
Found this, they just had a workshop on the subject. No numbers but apparently the bb program is quite popular. I wish I could have gone to this, I was wondering if TDC money could be used to promote the bb program to short term renters. That'd be an interesting way of generating general revenue for the county through the use of TDC funds.
http://www.co.walton.fl.us/DocumentView.asp?DID=296
http://www.co.walton.fl.us/DocumentView.asp?DID=296
GoodWitch58
Beach Fanatic
30ashopper
SoWal Insider
This was a year ago--I think they have given up on the Blue Bag program.
Goodness, I didn't notice the year in the date. Thanks goodwitch. I hadn't heard about a cancelation, the bags are still available (just picked some up the other day) and walton county still has the page up on it -
Walton County, FL - Home Page - Blue Bag Program
I wonder if anyone on SoWal knows more about what's going on?
Chandra
Beach Fanatic
If you want to get the skinny on the recycling and BB program, Arix Zalace and Jen Kuntz (Raw & Juicy airstream in Seaside) would be the ones to talk to. They did a lot of research and helped get the BB program started.
FWIW, Walton County does recycle as required by law, though it's important to remember that recycling is only a partial solution to garbage. If people/businesses don't buy products made from recycled materials, there isn't a market to purchase recyclable materials. The other component of this is that the solution begins with the manufacture of products and consumer choices.
Recycling is something we see (or don't see in the case of Walton County) and therefore a feel good thing to do, though it's impact is minimal at best.
For more information, pick up a copy of The Consumer's Guide to Effective Environmental Choices: Practical Advice from the Union of Concerned Scientists and check out my latest blog post.
FWIW, Walton County does recycle as required by law, though it's important to remember that recycling is only a partial solution to garbage. If people/businesses don't buy products made from recycled materials, there isn't a market to purchase recyclable materials. The other component of this is that the solution begins with the manufacture of products and consumer choices.
Recycling is something we see (or don't see in the case of Walton County) and therefore a feel good thing to do, though it's impact is minimal at best.
For more information, pick up a copy of The Consumer's Guide to Effective Environmental Choices: Practical Advice from the Union of Concerned Scientists and check out my latest blog post.
GoodWitch58
Beach Fanatic
As I recall the discussions, the problem appears to be the lack of any specific pick up for the blue bags. If they are put out with the regular trash, they often break open and all is lost as far as the effort to recycle...so, we might as well just put everything in the garbage pickup and let the prisoners sort it at the landfill
we can still use the bags and take them to the recycling trailers that are parked around the county, which is what I do.
the BCC maintains it is too expensive to have pick up for recycled materials; or have a system where the trucks are divided to accept the garbage and recycled materials all at the same time.
This is what Leon County does and it works very well. I am sure there are other counties who do it this way. And, it is Waste Management, the same collection company, that does it. I am unsure why it would not be cost effective, after the initial cost of the different trucks. Perhaps there is some issue with finding a company to purchase recycled materials too...
NotDeadYet may have more information too...
we can still use the bags and take them to the recycling trailers that are parked around the county, which is what I do.
the BCC maintains it is too expensive to have pick up for recycled materials; or have a system where the trucks are divided to accept the garbage and recycled materials all at the same time.
This is what Leon County does and it works very well. I am sure there are other counties who do it this way. And, it is Waste Management, the same collection company, that does it. I am unsure why it would not be cost effective, after the initial cost of the different trucks. Perhaps there is some issue with finding a company to purchase recycled materials too...
NotDeadYet may have more information too...
Chandra
Beach Fanatic
Goodwitch, I do remember hearing from Arix that when he visited the waste collection facility, they often had months worth of reclaimed plastic being stored, waiting for a buyer. I know that Bay County doesn't take glass anymore for the same reason - no one to buy it.
The most efficient materials to recycle are newspaper, cardboard, glass, and aluminum. Plastic, not so good. Reclaimed plastic has to be mixed with new plastic and the resulting product is not typically recyclable because of the dyes, shape, and differing resins. This is actually referred to as "downcycling" instead of recycling because the product still ends up in the landfill, just at a later date.
Of course, it's difficult in our time, to completely avoid plastic, but if we have a choice between plastic and another packaging, the other packaging is a better environmental choice.
Newspaper and cardboard I love and I really love the biodegradable take home boxes. All of those materials I throw in the compost bin.
Aluminum can be recycled over and over and over.
Glass also requires new materials to be added to the reclaimed material. Recycling glass saves energy and other resources in the process, but a better option is to reuse glass if possible.
The most efficient materials to recycle are newspaper, cardboard, glass, and aluminum. Plastic, not so good. Reclaimed plastic has to be mixed with new plastic and the resulting product is not typically recyclable because of the dyes, shape, and differing resins. This is actually referred to as "downcycling" instead of recycling because the product still ends up in the landfill, just at a later date.
Of course, it's difficult in our time, to completely avoid plastic, but if we have a choice between plastic and another packaging, the other packaging is a better environmental choice.
Newspaper and cardboard I love and I really love the biodegradable take home boxes. All of those materials I throw in the compost bin.
Aluminum can be recycled over and over and over.
Glass also requires new materials to be added to the reclaimed material. Recycling glass saves energy and other resources in the process, but a better option is to reuse glass if possible.
Matt J
SWGB
Unfortunately with the economic downturn recycling took a huge hit.
Bad economy affects recycling industry, too | Oakland Tribune | Find Articles at BNET
Bad economy affects recycling industry, too | Oakland Tribune | Find Articles at BNET
Daugette_Matt
Beach Lover
Up at thr landfill on SR 83 they seem to do a good job of separating out various types of garbage. As far as I can tell the county ladfill is a good operation, some level of recycling is going on there......
Matt J
SWGB
Is that the program where prisoners sort through the garbage looking for recyclables?