Returning Cans/Bottles to the Depot

[Calgary Flames]

Christ... You are all better citizens, congrats... Had I known this would turn into a bash Jordon for not recycling thread I wouldn't have posted it... I just needed some info, not a lecture.

-_-

[Reaper]

Originally posted by SuperNilson@Aug 25 2004, 01:01 PM
Christ... You are all better citizens, congrats... Had I known this would turn into a bash Jordon for not recycling thread I wouldn't have posted it... I just needed some info, not a lecture.

-_-

Aside from the ecological benefits (which I'm not riding you about) I just think it's dumb to throw away money by not returning bottles and cans...

[RougeUnderoos]

Thanks for the battery advice gents.

Fotze -- I recycle pizza boxes and the guy who has picked up my blue box for years has never complained. Throw out that greasy piece of paper of course, but they'll take the boxes.

Speaking of blue boxes -- those Edmonchukkers have us (and everyone else) beat when it comes to recycling. I don't know if it's city wide, but where my sister lives, she just throws everything into one blue bag and then the city sorts it. Drink boxes, paper, metals, glass, cardboard, you name it, toss it into one bag and put it out with the garbage. They've also got a massive composter for yard waste and they actually sell the compost as fertilizer. Doesn't make a profit (yet) but it covers the costs.

[habernac]

It's even worse in the US. Lots of places don't have bottle depots. I was at a pool hall in Richmond, VA and watched in disbelief as the waitress just dumped the empties into a garbage cans. Driving in the four corners area (Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah) it wasn't uncommon to see the ditches filled with old beer bottles. What a waste.

[Calgary Flames]

Originally posted by Reaper+Aug 25 2004, 01:04 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Reaper @ Aug 25 2004, 01:04 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-SuperNilson@Aug 25 2004, 01:01 PM
Christ... You are all better citizens, congrats... Had I known this would turn into a bash Jordon for not recycling thread I wouldn't have posted it... I just needed some info, not a lecture.

-_-

Aside from the ecological benefits (which I'm not riding you about) I just think it's dumb to throw away money by not returning bottles and cans... [/b][/quote]
That is exactly why i'm starting to recycle. I want my deposit's back!

[Phanuthier]

Originally posted by SuperNilson@Aug 25 2004, 07:01 PM
Christ... You are all better citizens, congrats... Had I known this would turn into a bash Jordon for not recycling thread I wouldn't have posted it... I just needed some info, not a lecture.

-_-

This has to be one of the funnier threads I've read in a while. A question as to how much you can get if you recycle turns into a "Save the world" and "Captain Planet" thread

As for the battery's, I used to take them to the fire dept, but I learned recently that when a battery is discharged, it's no longer acidic enough to cause much damage and you can throw them out - but I don't use alot batteries anyways. I'm not entirely sure of that though, if you wanna play it the extra safe side, take it to be properly disposed I guess.

[Leeman4Gilmour]

Originally posted by RougeUnderoos@Aug 25 2004, 01:04 PM
Speaking of blue boxes -- those Edmonchukkers have us (and everyone else) beat when it comes to recycling. I don't know if it's city wide, but where my sister lives, she just throws everything into one blue bag and then the city sorts it. Drink boxes, paper, metals, glass, cardboard, you name it, toss it into one bag and put it out with the garbage. They've also got a massive composter for yard waste and they actually sell the compost as fertilizer. Doesn't make a profit (yet) but it covers the costs.

I haven't been everywhere in the world, but Calgary is a little behind with their recycling program compared to some of the programs I've seen. I'm sure we're above average on a world wide scale, but considering our economic advantages here in Alberta, we should be one of the leaders. At least they have that trial program running. Hopefully, that will be successful and we'll all receive the "blue boxes".

[Leeman4Gilmour]

Oh, and one other thing - I don't think it should be acceptable, but bottles and cans are probably the best recyclable you could throw away. At least you know someone will pick them up and return them.

[calculoso]

Originally posted by Phanuthier@Aug 25 2004, 01:15 PM
As for the battery's, I used to take them to the fire dept, but I learned recently that when a battery is discharged, it's no longer acidic enough to cause much damage and you can throw them out - but I don't use alot batteries anyways. I'm not entirely sure of that though, if you wanna play it the extra safe side, take it to be properly disposed I guess.

Do not throw out batteries in general household waste.

From http://www.cleancalgary.com/info/personala....html#household

Batteries used in flashlights, radios, clocks, watches, calculators and toys contain many hazardous materials including cadmium and mercury. Do not discard them in your ordinary garbage; save them in a sealed container for disposal at a hazardous waste depot.

Every year, the City of Calgary has a Household Chemicals Cleanup Day. This years is on Sept 11. For more info, visit The City Of Calgary: Household Chemical Clean Up Day FAQ or The City Of Calgary: Waste & Recycling Services

[RedHot25]

Originally posted by Leeman4Gilmour+Aug 25 2004, 07:23 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Leeman4Gilmour @ Aug 25 2004, 07:23 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-RougeUnderoos@Aug 25 2004, 01:04 PM
Speaking of blue boxes -- those Edmonchukkers have us (and everyone else) beat when it comes to recycling. I don't know if it's city wide, but where my sister lives, she just throws everything into one blue bag and then the city sorts it. Drink boxes, paper, metals, glass, cardboard, you name it, toss it into one bag and put it out with the garbage. They've also got a massive composter for yard waste and they actually sell the compost as fertilizer. Doesn't make a profit (yet) but it covers the costs.

I haven't been everywhere in the world, but Calgary is a little behind with their recycling program compared to some of the programs I've seen. I'm sure we're above average on a world wide scale, but considering our economic advantages here in Alberta, we should be one of the leaders. At least they have that trial program running. Hopefully, that will be successful and we'll all receive the "blue boxes". [/b][/quote]
I agree.

Out here in Vancouver, all (or the majority of) appartments have tall blue sorting containers at the back of the building - for mixed paper products, containers and newsprint. Its quite nice...a whole 5 steps away out the back door.

[Calgary Flames]

Anyone need a new avatar?

[calculoso]

Originally posted by SuperNilson@Aug 25 2004, 01:36 PM
Anyone need a new avatar?

Make fun of it all you want, but it's a very real issue that we all have control over.

I'll admit I'm not as careful as I should be, but any little bit is better than nothing at all.

[nfotiu]

Several years ago, Calgary justified not having blue boxes by saying the environmental benefits didn't exist. They claimed that the energy used to recycle was more detremental than simply throwing things in a landfill, which we have plenty of space for in Alberta. I think that may still hold true for some things like plastics, but it isn't a viable argument when it comes to aluminum or paper products. Calgary has received awards for being Canada's most eco friendly city, so some people must agree that recycling isn't the be-all end-all of being ecologically correct.

I've always thought of recycling as a lazy way to try to alleviate some guilt and to try to feel, without really going out of your way to make changes in your consumption. Blue boxes probably make people use up more packaging. They might feel more guilt if they were trashing things instead of throwing them into the environment saving magical blue boxes. Reducing and re-using are the much better of the 3 r's.

[Calgary Flames]

Originally posted by calculoso+Aug 25 2004, 01:40 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (calculoso @ Aug 25 2004, 01:40 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-SuperNilson@Aug 25 2004, 01:36 PM
Anyone need a new avatar?

Make fun of it all you want, but it's a very real issue that we all have control over.

I'll admit I'm not as careful as I should be, but any little bit is better than nothing at all. [/b][/quote]
It's for those acting captain planet like in this thread... I'm actually starting to recycle and I got shelled...

I want to be a Planeteer like the other kids!!! B)

[Krackt420]

Originally posted by SuperNilson+Aug 25 2004, 07:44 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (SuperNilson @ Aug 25 2004, 07:44 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>

Make fun of it all you want, but it's a very real issue that we all have control over.

I'll admit I'm not as careful as I should be, but any little bit is better than nothing at all.

It's for those acting captain planet like in this thread... I'm actually starting to recycle and I got shelled...

I want to be a Planeteer like the other kids!!! B) [/b][/quote]
You could always swap your the Cap'n planet avatar for the one you've got......they are strangely similar.

Just gotta laugh at the fact that the two most active threads in this off-topic forum right now are about bottle depots and the weather.....rock on Calgary Puck!!

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Originally posted by nfotiu@Aug 25 2004, 01:44 PM
Several years ago, Calgary justified not having blue boxes by saying the environmental benefits didn't exist. They claimed that the energy used to recycle was more detremental than simply throwing things in a landfill, which we have plenty of space for in Alberta. I think that may still hold true for some things like plastics, but it isn't a viable argument when it comes to aluminum or paper products. Calgary has received awards for being Canada's most eco friendly city, so some people must agree that recycling isn't the be-all end-all of being ecologically correct.

I've always thought of recycling as a lazy way to try to alleviate some guilt and to try to feel, without really going out of your way to make changes in your consumption. Blue boxes probably make people use up more packaging. They might feel more guilt if they were trashing things instead of throwing them into the environment saving magical blue boxes. Reducing and re-using are the much better of the 3 r's.

I think the City didn't put a recycling program together as at the time Calgary had plenty of Landfill capacity left - something like 50 years. With the City's growth I think that number has fallen significantly, and they're trying to address the short fall now. Spyhill is due to be shut down and turned into a golf course in the near future.

Edmonton by contrast had far less than 50 years, which is why they adopted the blue box so much earlier. Then again, they just seem to sprinkle their trash up and down Calgary Trail north / south..... :P

[ricosuave]

as a point of interest, there are those in society that claim that recycling is nothing more than a token effort to appease treehuggers - that the basis of their thinking is that it costs way, way more to recycle the materials than to produce them from scratch, and that things like plastic and juice box containers are by far the worst.

ill see if i can find a link or two.

anyway, if you 'dont want' the money, allow the scouts or some group to pick up your bottles...

rico

[Tron_fdc]

Whatever, those blue boxes SUCK. I see people with 12 weeks worth of newspapers stacked into those things, and the first small breeze that blows through scatters them throughout the neighbourhood. Since I'm in a corner lot it's usually in my back yard. I could post for DAYS about the amount of crap I get in my yard from all the construction going on (insulation, nail boxes, weather stripping, styrafoam, barbed wire). If people want to target someone for being wasteful, go after homebuilders who do nothing but LITTER the whole time they build a new house.

Back on topic..... has anyone noticed how those cheap bas**rds at the depot always seem to come up with the same payout no matter how much you bring in to them? I could be taking back the accumulated bottles from the playoffs in 4 dump trucks and still only get $50!!

[RougeUnderoos]

Originally posted by plett22@Aug 25 2004, 03:07 PM
Whatever, those blue boxes SUCK. I see people with 12 weeks worth of newspapers stacked into those things, and the first small breeze that blows through scatters them throughout the neighbourhood. Since I'm in a corner lot it's usually in my back yard. I could post for DAYS about the amount of crap I get in my yard from all the construction going on (insulation, nail boxes, weather stripping, styrafoam, barbed wire). If people want to target someone for being wasteful, go after homebuilders who do nothing but LITTER the whole time they build a new house.

Back on topic..... has anyone noticed how those cheap bas**rds at the depot always seem to come up with the same payout no matter how much you bring in to them? I could be taking back the accumulated bottles from the playoffs in 4 dump trucks and still only get $50!!

Well I don't know if the box itself is to blame. Maybe blame your neighbor? Anyone who is too stupid to keep a little paper in a box deserves some blame.

The "Guilt" Argument: I don't recyclye anything out of guilt. Wouldn't even cross my mind. It just seems silly to bury the hundreds of pounds of newspaper and paper and junk mail and boxes and jars when they could just as easily be re-used for something else.

I can't see how it could possibly make me "use more packaging" as nfotiu put it. It's not like I would make extra purchases just because I knew I wasn't throwing the packaging in the garbage.

The whole "we have plenty of landfill space" is a really weak argument as well. Someone pointed out -- not for long. And another thing, it's not exactly "good planning" to ignore something until it becomes a problem (which this most certainly will).

[Tron_fdc]

The open box, the neighbour who can't figure out that a small rock would keep the papers from blowing away, the framer who tosses his empty boxes of nails at or near a garbage can (but not in), the roofer who tosses that black paper off the house into the wind.....the list goes on.

I should be posting this in the "Things that make me mad" thread. It really burns me when I drive down Old Banff Coach Road and see all the construction garbage stuck to fences, wrapped around trees, stuck in sewer grates, IN MY YARD, or pretty much strewn all over my neighbourhood.