Letter: Different ways to promote recycling

Monday, July 10, 2006 | 7:15 a.m.

Scot Rutledge's July 7 letter to the editor, which the Sun headlined "Many advantages to recycling's pilot program," is pure rubbish. He talks about the benefit of obtaining "free" recycling containers and new insight into what works in recycling. More rubbish. Just let this camel get its nose under the trash tent and see what comes next.

Today, in Las Vegas, the public doesn't care about recycling, and the compelling lure of new recycling containers or more frequent recycling pickups will not change this attitude. Here is what works. Make sure that Republic Services honors its existing contract - two trash pickups every week and one recycling every two.

Next, find realistic ways to incentivize the public to recycle. Start with our school children and programs that better educate them about the need to recycle. Provide yard signs and billboards that promote recycling.

Develop a recycling campaign that provides financial assistance to those in need, especially children. You know, something as simple as a separate bin for aluminum "cans & cash for kids program" or "school children recycle cans from home." Education and peer pressure will, over time, do more than free containers and reduced garbage hauling ever will.

Richard Rychtarik, Las Vegas

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