Is this fair? (a recycling vent)....

[meloneyb21]

So, ok, we DO recycle as much as we can....our blue recycling bins are always full, but naturally, sometimes you just forget. Well, about 2 weeks ago DH bought in a ticket that was stuck on our door. It was for $25 because we had put a gallon milk jug in with the trash. It made me mad, because it was an honest mistake and I didn't think it was a big deal. Our trash was also tied up very good, so I wondered how on earth I could get a ticket for something that was tied up in my trash.

Well, the other day, I just so happened to look out the window when the trash was getting picked up and I saw some guy (obviously a city worker, a city van was double parked) walking up and down the block with a knife, slashing open everyone's bags.....There was also a recycling truck parked behind him, so I figured he was looking to see if there was any trashed recyclables.

I can think of a million things that these people could be doing with their time. But of course, the city needs money, so what better way to give out tickets. I can see if the stuff was just blatantly thrown out on the street or if the trash was overflowing and the owner didn't care enough to clean it up, but why would you go and slash trash bags just so you can find a reason to give someone a ticket ?

I guess this is just what they do, but this is my first time actually seeing it and my first time receiving a ticket for something like that. I recycle all the darn time and this just seems like a total waste of time.....Shouldn't they be worried about getting tougher gun laws or something? I mean give me a break.

Ok, I'm done....

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Wow! We are not forced to recycle here. That would certainly make me examine my trash!!!!

 

[M 'n C]

My god that is insane! Who cares what I put in my trash and what I recycle. That should be my choice not the city's!

 

[irishbosoxfan]

Wow! I didn't realize recycling was mandatory anywhere! I thought it was a voluntary program to help our environment. We recycle and had so much, our neighbor who doesn't, gave us her bin to use!
I think there should be a call made to the city in regards to this--fine for trash blowing around yes-for not recycling no.

 

[shortbun]

While I don't think tickets are rational, I DO love it that your city mandates recycling. A notice, rather than a ticket would be so much less "BIG Brother." It IS pretty scary that they've hired someone to inspect your trash! I think I'd complain; I might even organize my neighbors to protest.

 

[Snowysmom]

Wow! That seems insane. What a waste of time and manpower. We have a recycling program but luckily no recycling police yet. I have to admit to not washing out peanut butter and mayonnaise jars because I believe it uses more resources than are saved by recycling them.

 

[shortbun]

Wow! That seems insane. What a waste of time and manpower. We have a recycling program but luckily no recycling police yet. I have to admit to not washing out peanut butter and mayonnaise jars because I believe it uses more resources than are saved by recycling them.

I always wonder about that very thing-the use of hot water to clean recyclables and does it make sense. I either put them in the dishwasher or soak them enmass in a sink of hot soapy water.

 

[JR6ooo4]

Well apparently your incredible efforst do not make up for all the others who do not recycle.

Despite the passage of a statewide mandatory recycling law in 1988 and a city-ordinance on recycling passed in 1987, Philadelphia's recycling rate has never risen above 7%. Historically, the Streets Department, which oversees the City's recycling program, has dragged its feet in responding to citizen demands for improvements to the city system. As a decade passed, alarmed members of the recycling community began extensive discussions and took a series of actions that led to the formation of the Recycling Alliance of Philadelphia.

I forgot to check how old that article was, sorry.
It realy needs to be easy, no seperating, no rinsing. same day pickup. We get two pickups per week. First is garbage and yard waste, second is garbage and recycling.

I can not believe $25 for one jug!!!!
I have such a mean streak... What if you snuck out and dumped a neighbors entire recycling bin into a garbage bag and put it in their can. It would be a $1000 fine...

Mikeeee

Mikeeee

 

[DisneyGirl]

So, ok, we DO recycle as much as we can....our blue recycling bins are always full, but naturally, sometimes you just forget. Well, about 2 weeks ago DH bought in a ticket that was stuck on our door. It was for $25 because we had put a gallon milk jug in with the trash. It made me mad, because it was an honest mistake and I didn't think it was a big deal. Our trash was also tied up very good, so I wondered how on earth I could get a ticket for something that was tied up in my trash.

Well, the other day, I just so happened to look out the window when the trash was getting picked up and I saw some guy (obviously a city worker, a city van was double parked) walking up and down the block with a knife, slashing open everyone's bags.....There was also a recycling truck parked behind him, so I figured he was looking to see if there was any trashed recyclables.

I can think of a million things that these people could be doing with their time. But of course, the city needs money, so what better way to give out tickets. I can see if the stuff was just blatantly thrown out on the street or if the trash was overflowing and the owner didn't care enough to clean it up, but why would you go and slash trash bags just so you can find a reason to give someone a ticket ?

I guess this is just what they do, but this is my first time actually seeing it and my first time receiving a ticket for something like that. I recycle all the darn time and this just seems like a total waste of time.....Shouldn't they be worried about getting tougher gun laws or something? I mean give me a break.

Ok, I'm done....

This TOTALLY sounds like something they would do in Cleveland to make money!

 

[schmitty]

I would fight the ticket ,especially sense it was for plastic.

 

[minkydog]

I would fight the ticket ,especially sense it was for plastic.

Me,too. I'm all for saving the environment, but the thought of someone going through my trash just creeps me out. I wonder what a judge would think

 

[micki7337]

Another good program that the City of Brotherly Love has screwed up. Does the city actually think people will pay their ticket, learn their lesson and begin to recycle? Unfortunately, people like you are punished for a one time mistake while others blatantly disregard the rules (and the laws) and while they may receive tickets, they will never pay their fines. So once again, your tax dollars (and mine since I work in Philly), at waste.

I'm sooo glad I left the city. Even my dad left after 69 years.

Good luck keeping the garbage police at bay.

 

[meloneyb21]

Another good program that the City of Brotherly Love has screwed up. Does the city actually think people will pay their ticket, learn their lesson and begin to recycle? Unfortunately, people like you are punished for a one time mistake while others blatantly disregard the rules (and the laws) and while they may receive tickets, they will never pay their fines. So once again, your tax dollars (and mine since I work in Philly), at waste.

I'm sooo glad I left the city. Even my dad left after 69 years.

Good luck keeping the garbage police at bay.

Darn shame ain't it? DH and I have been talking about leaving this city for a while now....as soon as we get some financial things straight, we're outta here!

 

[hdecker]

I think I would pay my fine in pennies - inside of a plastic milk jug.

 

[Martha7]

The idea that someone is slashing open and inspecting your garbage is shocking to me! I recycle as well, but yikes!

 

[MamaLema]

Oh I can totally relate. We have mantatory recycling here as well. I hate it!!!!Each house is required to have 3 separate recycling boxes and if you put 1 item in the wrong bin, they won't take any of the boxes

They are also thinking of hiring workers to open random bags to see if people are pouring paint in baby diapers, etc. I can't imagine many people applying for that job

 

[meloneyb21]

Oh I can totally relate. We have mantatory recycling here as well. I hate it!!!!Each house is required to have 3 separate recycling boxes and if you put 1 item in the wrong bin, they won't take any of the boxes

They are also thinking of hiring workers to open random bags to see if people are pouring paint in baby diapers, etc. I can't imagine many people applying for that job

 

[sweetspicy]

I would definitely call the city or write a letter, maybe even to the mayor, to complain about this. You could also call your newspaper to tell a reporter they might want to check this out. If they do a story on it, more people will find out about it and they won't be happy. Then maybe the city will be forced to change their ways.

 

[micki7337]

I think I would pay my fine in pennies - inside of a plastic milk jug.

I love this idea! Altho, something tells me there's a law against it! LOL!

 

[disneymac]

That's just crazy! I wonder how much that guy makes a year to cut open your trash...