First, all the Green Fiber bins have been removed from everywhere, and second, there is chaos down at the tracks. George and I have a new word after our vacation, and that is, boondoggle. I'm going to use it here, and just say that what we have going on here is a bit of a boondoggle.
Perhaps we should just change our perspectives and view this as growing pains. I'm not exactly sure of what is going on with the Doty bins, because they are in various stages every time I go to recycle. I do know this: Doty was planning on taking the new bin back to it's manufacturing birth place to get it repainted. I'm sure you have noticed all the paint peeling off. If you are like me, you would cry out, "please, please don't take our shiny new bin away, the one with the opening doors!" However, it was not shiny, it was peely. Also, it is still under warranty, so we can all appreciate that Doty Sanitation wants to get it fixed while they still can. Now, of course, with just one bin again, it is filling up fast and therefore, has to be emptied. That is why some times you go down there, and nothing is there. Fear not, the old trusty "hole" bin will be back, and eventually our new one will be back as well.
Growing Pains
Let's focus on some good things for a second. One, more people are recycling. That is very clear in the volume of recyclables in BOTH bins. Hurray for that, right? Also, when the second bin is back and brand spanking, shiny new, the old bin will PROBABLY be used for cardboard. That is a move forward.
Now for the lecture. I know that it is hard to find places to recycle when you live in Greenville, IL, USA. Let's rejoice in the fact that we can recycle most things. A lot of communities here in Bond County don't have anything at all, and have to haul all of their stuff here, or some other place. Of course we want to continue to grow and improve and make things easier, but for now I'm imploring you to hang tough. So you have to drive to Mulberry Grove for a while to take your paper and cardboard there. You can do it! At least there is a spot that we can do that for now, and we all make that trip sometime to go to Wal-Mart, or Aldi's, or to eat out. Don't let this set-back take your sights off the goal. The earth is worth saving and caring for and deserves better than our thoughtless trashing.
I went to the tracks yesterday with my three bags of recyclables, and yes, it was a pain to get them loaded with all the other errands I had to do, while being accompanied by a "helper" that is not quite 5 years old. I drove to the spot, and there were no bins. I cringed inside and immediately felt inconvenienced. But then I was quickly moved to anger when I saw the load and the pile of recycling sitting there, blowing in the wind - recycling that was now trash. At that moment a car drove up and an older couple were inside. The woman got out and proceeded to open the back door. Now I was setting there trying to take a picture of the state of things, and decided to drive on up and say hello.I informed the woman that if she left her stuff there on the ground, that it would indeed be thrown away. She asked, "Won't the bin be back?" I informed her that it would, but that all the stuff on the ground would not be loaded into the bin but that I knew for an absolute fact it would be thrown out in the garbage. She paused with her hand on the door, and I could see she wanted to do it anyway. I did not budge, I did not move my vehicle, and I sat looking at her, and she at me. After about 10 seconds, she very reluctantly got into the passenger side and they slowly drove away. I sat there, parked for a while, just amazed at this incident. I was convinced by their rate of speed, that they would just circle around and dump their stuff when I was gone. And here is the kicker: this couple were not alone. By the size of "trash" pile sitting there, many more people had made the same exact decision.
What has happened to us? When has convenience taken over our ideals? This was a person who took the trouble of saving her stuff from the trash, and loading it up, and driving all they way to the tracks, because I assume she believes in recycling. But when met with a road block, she caved and said to herself, "Oh well, it's trash, but I want it out of my car." So rather than take it back home, unload and wait for another day, it's just easier to pitch the stuff. Why do it in the first place if at the slightest problem you give up? I don't get it. I wonder what it is this woman actually believes in, or what is compelling her to act, but then cave?
Have we become a society of softies that can not be bothered, can not feel pain, can not wait for more than two seconds for anything, and can not stand strong for what we believe in? I hope not. I have to believe that this isn't true.
Please continue to recycle despite the setbacks of our community recycling program. I know it's hard, it's hard for me as well. But I believe in tending to this planet that God has given us. I believe we live on holy ground. Please hang tough, be inconvenienced, but don't give up, don't give in, and don't throw away your recyclables in the trash. It will get better, it already has. There are more of us now than even last year, who are standing up and saying that this matters. Hang tough!!
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