Single stream recycling pilot program picked up by Globe

[pjmorgan.livejournal.com]

As previously discussed here

Link to boston.com article

Comments

[tastyanagram.livejournal.com]

Single-stream recycling is great, we've been using it where I work at Harvard and it makes everything so much easier. I try to recycle everything I can and even I'm really lazy about getting it all out to the bins. I hope this takes off! And that Somerville can get above 16% recycling (whew)!

[fefie.livejournal.com]

Only 16% currently recycle? Really? I must live in a recycling bubble (in Ward 5) - seems like every place in my neighborhood for several blocks puts out a blue bin.

I don't mind the move to single stream especially if it gets more folks to recycle, though I don't find it a hardship to sort.

[avjudge]

I believe "recycling rate" refers to the % of waste (by weight???) that is recycled vs. dumped, certainly not the % of people who are separating out recyclables from their garbage.

[fefie.livejournal.com]

But the article states, "Roughly 16 percent of Somerville residents currently recycle".

[gruene.livejournal.com]

The article is *gasp* wrong and the 16% number probably refers to Diversion Rate, which is still embarrassingly low. By comparison, the statewide diversion rate in California was 54% in 2006. See http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/LGCentral/Rates/Diversion/2006/Default.htm

California has subsequently switch to measure per capita waste disposal, rather than percentage of waste diverted, since that statistic encourages reduction as well as recycling.

[pjmorgan.livejournal.com]

East Somerville recycling rates are lower than West Somerville.

[ron_newman]

Perhaps recycling instructions are not being translated and distributed in all locally-used languages?

[pjmorgan.livejournal.com]

Language and cultural experience barriers are probably a big part of that. Another part is probably cultural aspects of West Somerville residents. Also East Somerville has a higher % of renters while West Somerville has more owner occupants. Owner occupants are more likely to recycle is my guess. Also landlords cannot make it easy for tenants because the city won't allow landlords to pick up recycling bings.

[jamiesquared.livejournal.com]

I cant believe it is only 16%...my whole street has blue bins out on trash/recycle days.

[fefie.livejournal.com]

A comment in the boston.com thread gave this link, with data that sheds light on the Somerville recycling rates matter:

http://www.somervilleresistat.org/Recycling_Routes_Data.html