Recycling

[Y2HH]

Goodwill's model is primarily about providing work opportunities and training, not being a thrift store. So it's not so much about your items being resold to needy people but the revenue those sales bring in being used to employ and train and have other community programs.

 

For what you're talking about, the theft amounts to the same thing either way.

 

Well, I shouldn't really say "good will", but I'm not sure if there is a difference...we give to the Salvation Army.

[Iwritecode]

Now to me I don't see it as any different than the people who pick stuff up from the curb that has been put out as garbage. I've purposely put stuff out with the garbage with the hopes that somebody will come along and pick it up before the garbage men get there.

 

Those big plastic slides, see-saws and play houses for kids are one good example. I had a few in my backyard that my kids out-grew and I didn't personally know anyone that wanted them. So I put them out on the curb and sure enough, somebody came along and picked them up. Now if I would've taken them up to the Goodwill and left them and somebody came along and took them, I wouldn't have minded at all.

 

I've typically used Goodwill/Salvation Army as a last resort when I can't get rid of my stuff any other way either by giving it to somebody I know or even through a garage sale. Even though I was an only child, I grew up on hand-me-down stuff from friends and family. Clothes, bikes, sports equipment, tools, etc...

 

[NorthSideSox72]

Our village contracts to Veolia for garbage and recycling. Most of the fee is garbage, they add some very small amount for also doing recycling, like 2 dollars a month. For yard waste, we have to buy stickers, $2 a bag for up to like 50 pounds a bag.

 

[BigSqwert]

We have 3 separate pickups. Recycling, compostables (which include yard waste) and trash.

Edited April 27, 2012 by BigSqwert

[farmteam]

I honestly have no idea what it is in Minneapolis -- I live near downtown, and pretty much everything is apartments.

 

When I lived in Bloomington, IN it was $2 for each trash can, but for recycling we had to go to the Monroe County Recycling Center way south of town. Although, they might have started voluntary curb-side pickup every other week my senior year; can't remember.

 

When I lived north of Chicago, it was weekly curb-side pickup, same day as the trash.

Edited April 27, 2012 by farmteam

[southsider2k5]

Now to me I don't see it as any different than the people who pick stuff up from the curb that has been put out as garbage. I've purposely put stuff out with the garbage with the hopes that somebody will come along and pick it up before the garbage men get there.

 

Those big plastic slides, see-saws and play houses for kids are one good example. I had a few in my backyard that my kids out-grew and I didn't personally know anyone that wanted them. So I put them out on the curb and sure enough, somebody came along and picked them up. Now if I would've taken them up to the Goodwill and left them and somebody came along and took them, I wouldn't have minded at all.

 

I've typically used Goodwill/Salvation Army as a last resort when I can't get rid of my stuff any other way either by giving it to somebody I know or even through a garage sale. Even though I was an only child, I grew up on hand-me-down stuff from friends and family. Clothes, bikes, sports equipment, tools, etc...

 

IMO the difference is that on the curb it is meant for the trash or someone to take. At Goodwill/Salvation Army it is meant as a donation to be sold or donated to someone who needs it. To me it is two different things.

[Jenksismyhero]

We have to buy garbage stickers at something like $3.50 a piece for garbage. It's a giant pain in the ass having to go to the grocery story at 10PM because you realize you're out of stickers.

 

On the other hand, since you have to pay $3.50 a can for garbage but can put out unlimited recycling cans for free, it really does encourage people to recycle. Everyone has at least one recycling bin, some people have two or three alongside their one garbage can.

 

La Grange is the same way. I ended up getting a couple of extra recycling bins (3 total) and that's probably 60-70% of our weekly trash. I put out a couple of recycling bins every week and the trash every other week. Though in 8 weeks when the first kid comes i'm sure it'll be more.

[BigSqwert]

This is one of many reasons I love it here in Seattle. Not only is recycling made extremely easy for everyone at home but it is made extremely easy anywhere you go. It is rare to go to a restaurant or place of business where at the very least there isn't a recycling bin. Most places also have compost bins as well.

[Jenksismyhero]

Anyone have their own compost bins/piles at home? My wife and I were thinking about getting the big bin that you rotate. One, it provides you some good additives for the garden, but two, we can get rid of that disgusting smell from the garbage from old food (no garbage disposal).

[GoSox05]

I think I'm going to start composting this summer. Build something in my backyard.

[Y2HH]

Anyone have their own compost bins/piles at home? My wife and I were thinking about getting the big bin that you rotate. One, it provides you some good additives for the garden, but two, we can get rid of that disgusting smell from the garbage from old food (no garbage disposal).

 

If you do the compost bin incorrectly you could end up moving the smell from your house to your yard. They have to be maintained properly, and make sure you only compost things that belong in compost. I had one my entire life growing up at my old house in Bridgeport, but it was an "in earth" version, where no bins or such were used...which can often "contain the smell" when kept improperly because they sort of "lock the juices in", where in earth varieties allow that swill/liquid to seep into the ground.

 

They are beyond an excellent idea for people with gardens, though.

[Y2HH]

This is one of many reasons I love it here in Seattle. Not only is recycling made extremely easy for everyone at home but it is made extremely easy anywhere you go. It is rare to go to a restaurant or place of business where at the very least there isn't a recycling bin. Most places also have compost bins as well.

 

Sounds as if you've found your mother ship, big man!

[StrangeSox]

If you do the compost bin incorrectly you could end up moving the smell from your house to your yard. They have to be maintained properly, and make sure you only compost things that belong in compost. I had one my entire life growing up at my old house in Bridgeport, but it was an "in earth" version, where no bins or such were used...which can often "contain the smell" when kept improperly because they sort of "lock the juices in", where in earth varieties allow that swill/liquid to seep into the ground.

 

They are beyond an excellent idea for people with gardens, though.

 

My dad had one.

 

It didn't last long before my mom made him get rid of it.

[Texsox]

We're discovering that a lot of the plastic we were sending to our local recycling center was not being recycled. They can only accept 1 & 2 and we have as much 5 here. We also will have to drive over to the city's facility to drop off glass.