Richland County SC glass recycling notes

[darkoshi]

This is an old recycling guide, dated 12/2020. It indicated glass was still accepted for curbside recycling.

This is a newer recycling guide, dated 02/2021. It does not mention glass.

This recycling guide dated 03/2021 does not include glass under the section for items accepted curbside (a noticeable difference compared to the 12/2020 version).

This SC DHEC page indicates glass bottles and jars are "ONLY accepted at the Clemson Rd Recycling Site", and not accepted curbside.

The Clemson Rd site is open:
> Tuesday, Thursday, Friday - Sunday, 9AM - 6PM
> CLOSED Monday & Wednesday

The Richland County Recycling Wizard also indicates glass isn't taken curbside but can be dropped off at the Clemson Road Recycling Site.

https://www.richlandcountysc.gov/Government/Departments/Public-Works/Solid-Waste-Recycling/Curbside-Pick-up/Recycling
Wax or plastic coated cardboard is NOT accepted.
Chipboard boxes such as cereal boxes must be clean and dry and only have stored dry, non-refrigerated foods.

I don't understand why clean boxes from frozen foods aren't acceptable, when they don't seem to have any plastic on them. If I can tear them as easily as cereal boxes, doesn't that mean they aren't coated with plastic? That's the test I use but maybe I'm being wishful and doing it wrong. Maybe there is plastic-coated cardboard that can be torn easily which is used for frozen food boxes.

Comments

[frith]

The way it's handled, glass breaks and "contaminates" the paper that might be recycle worthy. The whole recycling thing has been a boondoggle and a distraction from the get go. Fooling us into thinking that plastic everything and everything wrapped in plastic 'for your convenience and safety' is OK because it's all recyclable has just been a means to increase the production of plastic from fossil fuels. It's sugar and tobacco all over again. Sugar is 'all natural' and blames fat and cholesterol for your health problems. X out of Y doctors recommend brand Z cigarettes and e-cigarettes are a healthy way to help you quit, not an unhealthy way to recruit new addicts and keep that nicotine delivery service going on forever.

[darkoshi]

Plastic is lightweight, strong, and convenient though. Some kind of similar replacement will need to be found. I've seen a few things (deodorant & yogurt containers) being made out of paper products lately which is a step in the right direction, but it's a very small proportion.

The city apparently still takes glass curbside, mixed. I don't mind too much taking recyclables to a drop-off center, but that Clemson Road place is inconvenient both for its location off a busy road only accessible in one direction, and for its limited open hours. I don't understand that the county apparently stopped taking glass curbside 2 years ago, but didn't notify us, so many people (including me til just recently) have continued putting glass in our bins this whole time and probably will continue doing so.

I don't know why Americans in general can't be trusted to separate recyclables, but I've seen it myself. At least half the time, the bins at grocery stores for dropping off plastic bags and film have other trash in them.

[frith]

There is no cost or gain for sorting trash, people are expected to do it for free with no policing. On a road with no speed traps, people will drive as fast as they like. It's not an American thing.

[darkoshi]

I wonder how other places manage it, who have residents separate out compostable waste and different kinds of recyclables. Checked a page about Japan wondering if they have fines; it only mentioned the trash may not be accepted if it has a recyclable bottle in it.

[frith]

If there is a cultural cost, that has to be taken into account. I'm pretty sure the recycling dump trucks can spot contaminants as they collect. The probability of getting shamed with a warning might be motivation enough in Japan. In North America, note that parents don't spank their kids in public anymore. It's all about cost.