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Why do carefully separated recyclables end up tossed into one bin?
Thursday, June 10, 2010 | 2 a.m.
Sun Coverage
Mr. Sun,
Why, after people throughout the valley spend two weeks separating their recyclables, does Republic Services come along and throw them all together into one bin?
— Roger LaBrie
•••
It’s true that the valley’s trash hauler sometimes tosses our carefully segregated glass, plastic, cans and paper into a single oozy soup of recyclables.
The reason is Republic Services has three types of recycling trucks trolling the streets. So follow the bouncing ball (which is, of course, made of recycled rubber):
• The truck that has likely caused most of the confusion is a typical Southern Nevada garbage truck painted institutional green and labeled “Republic Service Commingled Recycling Truck.” With these vehicles — there are 10 — it all goes into one big compartment just like your trash. Republic Services workers sort it at the North Las Vegas recycling center.
• The second truck in the mix is the old-school recycling truck. These vehicles, of which there are 50, are the reason the red, white and blue recycling crates are still in use. The old trucks’ compartments are too far off the ground for workers to lift anything larger than a crateful of recyclables, says Bob Coyle, Republic Services’ vice president of government affairs. “It comes down to the weight you can hoist.”
Coyle says that because his company can’t guarantee it will have enough of either truck available to cover specific routes, all residents must put their recyclables in the crates so their contents can be lifted into the old trucks — should they be the only ones available that day.
Implied in all this is that separating recyclables doesn’t matter as long as they’re placed in the crates.
• The third truck is what appears to be the future — an automated red and white vehicle that hoists and dumps a single can of recyclables. This is the truck used in the county’s single-stream recycling pilot program, which prompted the company to upgrade its recycling plant so it could sort recyclables and you don’t have to.
Questions for Mr. Sun should be sent to page8@lasvegassun.com.
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Did Mr. Sun actually go to the recycling plant and observe the workers there sorting the "commingled" recyclable item?
Ha Ha Ha. The Republic workers sort it out. Ha Ha Ha That's a good one.
What? You mean to say they will pick up your recycleables every two weeks? Funny, because I'm lucky if the recycle truck remembers to visit my HOA once a month. I've called to complain and they always say "the foreman" will call back.. they never do.
Republic continues to run their scam against the citizens of Clark County.
The County Commission is in their dirty pockets.
If Republic whines enough, Rory will buy them new trucks for Christmas, further shafting the folks who live here with rate increases.
There is zero incentive to recycle in Southern Nevada. Republic gets the money, not the County or anyone else.
You forgot to mention that separating your recyclables makes it easier for the scavengers who roam our neighborhood on recycle day to steal all the aluminum. They drive a truck with CA license plates, have limited English skills, and they pick through the recycling and trash, spilling what they don't want to blow down the street. When I called Republic services, to find out if there was anything I could do about this nuisance, they said it was OK for them to help themselves to the aluminum from recycling and anything they find in the trash. Their pickup truck was full to overflowing last time we saw them, so it is a pretty good deal for them.
We've been in our new house a little over a year.
We called Republic to get the red, white and blue crates. Republic said there is a balance due, from the previous Owner, I guess. We asked Republic what is the balance, and Republic gave us three different answers: $0, $50, $100 something, as we waiting on the phone.
Eventually, our across the street neighbors moved away and left their containers.
So far the number of times Republic has picked up the containers = zero.
Don't you just love monopolies?
has anyone seen how most governments recycle computers?
In africa in a pile with kids living in amongst the computers stripping the parts of metal off and slowly dying in the poisonous fumes from the computers.
worth a visit to educate you on what really happens to most of our so called recycled waste.
The three basket system is a joke. They are too small and stuff just blows all over the neighborhood. Let's face it, Nevada is at the bottom of the recycling list for a reason. Most people here really don't care because our system has made it far too difficult.
Enough of the "pilot programs". How many years does it take to study the issue? We need single stream recycling - NOW. Oh, and we need a 90+ gal bin for yard waste. Cities smaller than Vegas have had these systems since the 1980s! Just get on with it already!
Libra, good points all.
The problem lies squarely on the monopoly Republic enjoys.
Competition is good.
Salt Lake City has a system that makes ours look like we are coloring with crayons...... oops, I just insulted kindergarteners.
Please ask RS why they don't care about recycling theft. These are not homeless people scavenging for aluminum to sell. These are large-scale operations that truck NV bottles to CA to defraud the State of CA by collecting the 5c deposit. CA either needs to stop their deposit program, or NV needs to start one. I store and sort my plastic bottles for two weeks so criminal gangs can swoop by and steal them.
Stop complaining about recycling and get with the program. We were the first in our new developemnt to do it. Now, fortunately, about 50% do; unfortunately the other 50% in our development remain just too damn lazy to do it, even when they are given the new containers. My recycle bin is 3 time fuller than my garbage bin each week. Cudos to Republic for getting the program going here in LV. Back in Chicago (and many more cities across the US), if you don't recycle, your trash is not picked up. It's about time we in LV stop putting our recyclable waste into the ground for future generations to have to deal with.
why is it ok for the scavengers to take the recycling meant for RS? I dont like the idea of RS spending millions on a program that is undercut by fraud. Thats like filling a bucket even though it has a hole in it.
The scavengers are causing the RS program to loose money and fail. That will impact the end customer.
Do we think the scavengers care about that? Do they care about any laws or rules?
Really the disconnect among people is frightening. Why would Republic establish a huge recycling presence only to leave it go fallow "except for when the enviro-nuts" come around? I regularly go to the dump station in my area and yes, there are nicely separated recyclables easily observable and yes, they aren't the same ones each time.
We pay about 40-50 bucks for three months worth of garbage pickup. Get real folks that's a bargain basement price for twice weekly pickup.
I didn't include this, but see I should have based on some of the comments here: Bob Coyle with Republic Services offers tours of the recycling plant to anyone who cares to see it. His number is 599-5501.
Thanks for reading.
Having lived in a handful of large cities, it seems Las Vegas is way behind the times when it comes to recycling. Its alot easier and more common in other places.
I am the recycling coordinator for UNLV. We recycled 750 tons of material last year, including food waste. I started the program and have run it for 15 years.
You can go to the MRF any time, during business hours, to drop off recycling (for those who live in apartments or have businesses without access to recycling services) and see the MRF operating. You can also drop off your household hazardous waste every other week at the MRF. They do separate the commingled recycling. Commingled recycling is done in hundreds of cities and counties all over the country. Republic is recycling the material they collect curbside and commingled from businesses. They would not put all the effort to collect it to just landfill it. They report their recycling numbers to the Southern Nevada Health District and the SNHD in turn reports it to the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection (NDEP) who issues a report every year. You can access it on their web page. The recycling is getting sorted and recycled. It is not being landfilled. I hope those of you saying that it is not getting recycled come back and read this post, because your misinformation is doing a dis-service to the community.
And the pilot program is operating in NLV. If you want it in Las vegas or Clark County, contact your HOA or your elected officials. The County will be hearing the results of the pilot program in July. The new system is superior to the red, white and blue crates and has proven to increase recycling.
I can be reached at 895-3760 or tara.pike@unlv.edu if you have any questions about recycling. I meant to include my contact information.
Also you can also call your Henderson city officials to try and sign up your neighborhood for the pilot program.
Lastly, Republic Services probably breaks even with their recycling program. But it employs a wide range of people in their recycling operations including sorters, truck drivers, heavy equipment operators, and managers. Recycling provides more jobs than landfilling so if you care about creating JOBS...start recycling and stop worrying about who gets the money! Recycling = JOBS! The more you recycle, the more they have to run the trucks, the more trucks bringing material to the MRF, the more sorters they need, the more sorters the need, the more shifts they have to operate, the more shifts they have to operate, the more people they need to employ! RECYCLE! The landfill already operates 24/7, lets work together to get the MRF operating 24/7!!!!
To those who are tired of the scavengers..
Unfortunately as soon as we put our garbage or recyclables on the curb they are pretty much "community" property.
One highlight..I just saw an article that read that they busted a large ring of recycling-thieves taking stuff to CA.. unfortunately, there will be another group of them right where they left off.
When I grew tired of picking up the mess they would leave..I simply didn't put my bins out until morning of trash day, or would "hide" the bins in front of my vehicle out of view from the street and shove them to the curb in the morning.
I know this may not work for all of you, but I can't recall having another instance of my bins being messed with since.
http://nevadarecycles.gov/doc/2009_Recyc...
That's the report cited. CC recycles at a 19.4% rate.
They are encouraging what they call "single-stream", which means ONE container to put all your recyclables in.
email this person and ask them what is being done to address the theft of curbside recyclables..kfergus@ndep.nv.gov
What we need is secure bins at supermarkets. Let the private sector service these bins, end of issues.
Thanks for posting stephenrblv! BUT....contact the Southern Nevada Health District about the theft of curbside materials. SNHD manages solid waste, recycling and illegal dumping in Southern Nevada.
http://www.southernnevadahealthdistrict....
SNHD Environmental Health Services:
(702) 759-0588
environmentalhealth@snhdmail.org
And I agree some big secured bins in grocery store parking lots would help apartment and condo dwellers recycle. Great suggestion. Apartment recycling is on the horizon! I have heard some proposals about it and I think it will happen soon.
Republic Srvs IS private sector. I'm not sure that the "invisible hand" is the answer here.
Here in California we have a recycling program. People have thr priveledge of paying extra to the city or county each month for a blue container (to go with the brown and green ones) so they will pick up your recyclables. I recycle my own cans, bottles (glass and plastic), paper and cardboard. We get anywhere fron $25 to $40 a month by taking it in ourselves. No need for me to pay the city to collect my recyclables and take my money twice. The state charges a 5c deposit on cans and bottles, 10c on quart or larger, Plus sales tax on the deposit. (a case of 24 costs us an extra $1.31 in deposit and tax). They weigh it at the recycling center and pay you by the pound, usually works out to less than 5c per container, especially on small water bottles, so the state is making a profit even if there was 100% return of containers. Containers all over the nation are marked CA-CRV making it easy for those in L.V. to cross state lines to collect the CA "deposit" amount.
Why do we allow RS to spend huge $$ for recycle bins and trucks if they have people at trash collection centers sorting the common trash?
Looks as if they are making a profit not only from the recycling business but from the collection of recycles.
Take the people off the recycle trucks and make them sorters at the collection centers.
Hey Bakersfield: The scavengers, with CA license plates, that pick the aluminum and bottles out of our recycle bins and trash bins here in Vegas, are. probably hauling it CA, to collect the deposit that was never paid. Is there some authority that would like the license plate numbers?
Why do people care if others scavenge? The people who throw it away clearly don't care what happens to the waste, just so long as it endures a second life. I'd give my cans and plastic away if someone said they wanted them.
I personally got my bins two weeks ago and they are full to the brim! Sadly, I have yet to see a recycling truck come through my neighborhood. E-mail Rep. on Monday and have yet to hear back.
Chris, I'm sure there is an authority that handles that. Probably the State Board of Equalization. Yes, I would imagine there are far more cans turned in to centers in Barstow than are bought in Barstow. Not sure if Baker has any that would handle a large quantity. I imagine if one filled a pickup truck with flattened cans and bottles, they could get $500 to $1000 for them. Maybe the check point near Barstow on the 15 could report them if they see them, No, that's too easy. I've even heard of semi trucks driving in from Texas with a load of aluminum. They pay $1.75 a pound here.
I've heard Michigan has a similar issue with Indiana people collecting the Michigan deposit.
Maybe the Sun could do a story on the recycling fraud.
It's sad so many recycleables are tossed into the garbage, here in Nevada.
The trash system in Nevada is LAUGHABLE. Here's an example of the insanity I bet you haven't heard before: my neighborhood built separate ALLEYS between all the streets specifically so that trash could be left and picked up in a non-visible place.
Good idea in theory, BUT here are some kickers:
1) REPUBLIC refuses to pick up the RECYCLES in the alley, so recycles must be left in FRONT OF YOUR HOUSE, normal trash in the back - more than 100 feet apart in my case. This is SO Much of a nuisance to me that I stopped recycling.
2) My street is a deadend, presumably to stop drive-through losers. So what do they do instead? You got it - drive through the useless alleys.
3) The alleys are magnets for grafitti spraying punks.
If the city had any brains at all they would seal off the alleys and plant rows of palm trees in them - THAT would be a huge improvement.
Furthermore, the trash billing system is very unfair. Someone who has 20 people living in one house and leaves out a mountain of trash twice a week pays the same as one person living alone who fills a pail every 2 months.
But at LEAST in Nevada the trash is not a part of your property taxes - believe me on this: if the government runs the system it gets even WORSE and costs 10 times as much.
whoever gets it, it's better than it going into a landfill.
Why recycle...Just throw it all away, and send it to the dump. The world will end in 2012 anyway...
thekube..
I care who takes my recycables because I spend the time to organize them, and then some jerk comes onto My Property, goes thru them and tosses what's left about my driveway and I get to clean up the mess that is left.
When they pass the sidewalk and come into my driveway they are trespassing..
And they are getting something
for nothing..that's why I care.
"the trash billing system is very unfair. Someone who has 20 people living in one house and leaves out a mountain of trash twice a week pays the same as one person living alone who fills a pail every 2 months"
If there were a tiered system, the minimum would start about where we are now. Check out trash in other cities, like San Fran. We've got it good. Plus, those RS guys will take ANYTHING. I've never had a problem with RS's trash service.
@TaraPike:
You CANNOT go there anytime you want and drop things off, and yes, the hazardous drop-off is every other week, North Las Vegas/Henderson alternately --- but only Wednesday through Saturday, from 9 to 1, so if you have paint, old gasoline, a computer or old television or anything else we definitely don't want in the landfill, you play it by RS's goofy schedule or you can dump it in the desert or your neighborhood storm drain like so many other people do.
@NoMorePC - You are talking about Household Hazardous Waste (HHW). I clearly state that you can drop off HHW every other week at the MRF. You can take your regular recycling/recyclables during business hours. You can also take them to the transfer stations, but I think the recycling center is the best option (and than you can see they recycle). Here are the gate hours for the transfer stations and the MRF:
http://www.republicservicesvegas.com/Doc...
And having Household Hazardous Waste four times a week between 9 am and 1 pm better than under Silver State Disposal and the early management of Republic Services (prior to the current management) when it was once a quarter (four times a year). So I believe the 16 hours per week that Republic accepts it is better than four times a year. And I think it is inappropriate to blame people dumping things in the desert and storm drains on Republic Services. We have more options for waste removal than many other cities and counties. You can go to the transfer stations or landfill with your large quantity of materials, show your ID and garbage bill, and dump for FREE. The irresponsible people who pollute our community are the only ones who deserve the blame.
Here is the schedule for Household Hazardous Waste:
http://www.republicservicesvegas.com/Doc...
To add to the comments about the scavangers going through the recycle bins. If you live in a gated community, you call police at 311 and its trespassing. It happened to us awhile ago, older mexican husband/wife driving around in a old dodge caravan unloading all the bottles/etc.. Henderson Police came fast and never saw them again.
By workers resorting what was once sorted, it sounds as though we are paying for needless workers. I wonder if they are even legally here.
My sister and I had to come back to Vegas last year and put my parents in a nursing home; my folks' house was filled with 50 years of stuff. We took many truckloads to St. Vinnies, and put free stuff out at the curb every night for two weeks for people to scrounge through. But there was a huge pile of junk for the garbage men to haul every garbage pick-up day. The guys from Republic took everything each and every time without any complaint, and I was impressed by their noncomplaining attitude. The guys I met were a bunch of great guys.
I've seen and smelled the plant.
Funny how a simple informational story becomes a venting point for talk radio inspired dittohead conspiracy theories.
Fluoridation, "phonics,"
not recycling garage - climate change - internment camps. Must be part of a progressive conspiracy.
Interesting comments, I must be one of the lucky one's. My recycle has been picked up twice a month without missing a beat for the past 3 years. I support the program even if it does not work 100%. It's not that hard and it does not require the use of colored bins. If California's are going through your trash before your pick up call this number and report the vehicle, 702-759-0600.
So bottom line:
As long as they are in the crates, it matters not which crate things are in.
It would be nice to know that when our glass crate has like two things and the plastics one is overflowing.
"To add to the comments about the scavangers going through the recycle bins. If you live in a gated community, you call police at 311 and its trespassing. It happened to us awhile ago, older mexican husband/wife driving around in a old dodge caravan unloading all the bottles/etc.. Henderson Police came fast and never saw them again."
------------------------------------------------
Ahhh, Henderson. LVMPD will not even respond to a burglary if it is not in progress. Do you really think they would come to a trespass of trash call?
Plus if your recyclables (which are not private property) are on the curb, which is public, then it is not trespass. For a trespass to occur they have to "intentionally enter the property of another", the sidewalk areas do not meet this requirement.
It is nice that HPD responded, but there was no trespass.
That being said, our recyclables are picked up and if they are missed, we call and they show up the next morning. Never had a problem.
Personally it would be nice if they did say we could mix things up as long as they stayed in the crates.
"If you live in a gated community, you call police at 311 and its trespassing. "
-----------------------------------------
Sorry, missed the gated comment when I did my review on trespass. LVMPD still would not come though.
Should the question in your neighborhood actually be HOW DID THEY GET IN YOUR GATED COMMUNITY? Apparently there is no use to being in one as it does not reduce anyone from coming in there.
I have called the 311 line about trash theft numerous times and METRO has always responded by sending out a patrol unit.
"I have called the 311 line about trash theft numerous times and METRO has always responded by sending out a patrol unit."
Who do you call when METRO are the ones ravaging through the neighbor's trash?
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Everyone does food shopping and they shop almost daily. Why not put the recycle in a public area there and let them make one stop.A well lighted area 24/7 should be less of a temptation for those combing through everything,especially with security cameras overhead.
Wow, fascinating discussion. I'm glad to hear the recycling is legitimately sorted after being co-mingled in the truck. I wondered.
Asking people to take their recycling to a separate location, such as to a grocery store container, is a non-starter. I lived in a rural community where trash/recycle hauling was the individual's responsibility and it is hard work. Loading up a car with multiple bins/bags of separated recycling is something only the most dedicated will do. Give me one can with a *lid* and I will start recycling again. The colored bins are ridiculous.
I'm amazed how many commenters object to the garbage scavengers. They are pure recyclers! I bag my aluminum cans and leave them on the curb for them. (No mess that way.) If someone wants to work that hard, and needs the money badly enough to paw through trash, then they're welcome to whatever they can use.
WHY DO WE HAVE THE SAME QUESTIONS WEEK AFTER WEEK? HOW ABOUT SOME NEW ONES? IT'S NOT LIKE YOU'RE TOO BUSY COVERING THE NEWS IN VEGAS AS THAT IS REPEATED DAY AFTER DAY AS WELL.
I knew someone who worked for Republic, and they told me that Republic only looks for certain types of recyclable materials. The rest goes into the regular trash. I don't really know if that's true, but perhaps the SUN could do some of that Pulitzer-level investigating they are noted for?
PGelsman:
Quit yelling.
I go out to the Henderson transfer station regularly, and occasionally I will bring my recyclables with me. I have them all nicely separated and they have me throw them onto a big pile of what looks like regular trash. I also see the recycle trucks pull up and dump on that pile. Where it goes from there I couldn't begin to tell you. Just seems like a wasted effort to separate everything. why not just have a big trashcan marked recycle and be done with it? The excuse of the bin is too high doesn't wash. Most recyclables aren't that heavy.