By Michael Smith (Veshengro)
This is also true for kerbside collections from homes but it would appear that industry seems to – often – have a serious problem separating the materials and often cardboard and paper are contaminated.
Cardboard often has plastic wrap still attached to it and in other cases the paper or cardboard is in plastic sacks, see-through and not. Neither of it is helpful and the material will have to be then picked up by “ordinary” waste collection where it is then destined for the landfill or the incinerator.
In most cases that have come to my attention householders seem to be much better in separating the waste and in removing contamination than seems to be business, including the very council offices that run the schemes.
I believe that the problem is education, education and again education and while the councils run recycling roadshows aimed at the general public no one seem to do anything to educate businesses. I guess someone is missing a trick there.
The other question, obviously, also has to be asked is as to whether businesses do really care or whether they just want to put in an appearance of green and environmental responsibility. One can, at times, but wonder.
Recyclables that need to be separated from other materials will not be recycled. It is as simple as that. There is no time and no money there to spend time somewhere in our own countries to separate cardboard from plastic wrapping and such like.
So, households and businesses alike, please separate your recyclables properly so that they can be recycled rather than have to be carted off to the landfill after all.
© 2011
