Published: October 24, 2009 04:39 pm      

A Word About Recycling - Oct. 25, 2009

Three quick items from the latest Resource Recycling e-newsletter and then some personal comments about a recent visit.

Starting off, the e-newsletter mentions “The New York Times had an interesting story recently about hotel recycling programs. “Specifically, the lack thereof … “ (From what we have gathered, even locally recycling programs in hotels and apartments have unique problems.)

Next on recycling aluminum cans. “Noida, India-based research firm RNCOS says that the aluminum beverage container recycling rate will reach 75 percent by the year 2015, as part of an overall trend of the U.S. continuing to use more and more virgin and recycled aluminum … “ (That’s good news as it means three out of every four empty aluminum cans will be recycled.)

And in the area of e-waste: “A Harris Interactive poll on environmental issues found that 41 percent of respondents recycled electronics during the past year. The online poll was conducted between July 7th and September 8th and sampled 3,110 adults.” (Also good news for as more and more companies and outside organizations such as Goodwill and the Central Texas Blood Bank (taking cell phones) getting involved in the recycling of obsolete or no longer needed electronics, this percentage can only grow.)

Now for some personal comments on a recent visit.

Had an interesting conversation with Kyle Hahn, owner and manager of the Green Guy Recycling Services drop-off site the other day when I took some things there to recycle. He was pleased that the city of San Marcos has increased the number of items they recycle to more than just office paper. In just one month, the amount taken in from the various city departments has almost doubled. (This demonstrates great leadership by the city and an example for others.)

However, he is somewhat perplexed by some of the recent recycling laws the state has passed. For example, if someone wants to recycle an old vehicle that has been rusting in a back yard or field for 20-30 years, they must still show a title for it. If they don’t have one, he has to turn them away. He knows these laws were passed to prevent any bad guys from stealing various metal objects and recycling them for money... but without being able to make some common-sense exceptions in some laws such as this, he expects a lot more old junked cars and scrap metal to stay in back yards and fields just continuing to be an eye-sore. (We agree and there’s enough such eye-sores out there already.)

Another change he has been forced to make is because of the increased paperwork now required for recycled iron and steel, the smallest amount he can take in of these items when paying the recycler for it is 150 pounds. Anything less than that he cannot break even. Of course you can still drop off any lesser amount of iron and steel scrap, you just can’t get paid for it. (For other metals, brass, copper, aluminum cans, etc., you can bring in any amount and get paid.) If you aren’t sure, they are willing to take your call (512) 353-3266

But even with these drawbacks, it was wonderful seeing a number of concerned citizens bringing things to recycle there during my short visit... from a woman with one of her arms in a sling (but she still unloaded her recyclables quite quickly—before I had a chance to offer to help her) to both white collar and blue collar workers plus children with their parents... it was pleasing to know these people are making a dedicated effort to help the environment and the economy. (And Kyle is continuing to look for ways to improve the drop-off site and even expand it.)

Till next week, do have a great one...



Gloria and Ollie are local citizens concerned with the environment and helping others. Ollie is a graduate of Leadership San Marcos and they both received higher education at TxState University and worked on staff before retiring. For questions or comments, please call them at (512) 353-7432 or e-mail them to omaier@TxState.edu