  
|
Preserving the Quality of Life in Our Neighborhoods A Continuing Series on Ordinances by Mike Esposito When I think of recycling one of my favorite expressions comes to mind, "It's a no brainer". I don't know when or in what context the expression was first used but it easily implies that there are some things, some situations, some concepts that are so simple, so clear, so acceptable that when there is opposition to them we scratch our head and really wonder about the "opposition". Recycling to me is a "no brainer" - PERIOD! During the war years, especially WWI and WWII, recycling was imperative. Resources had to be conserved and diverted to the war effort. The State's "Bottle Bill" passed into law in 1982 got people in the current recycling mode. Millions of tons of glass, metal, plastic and paper were kept out of landfills and the enforcement of provisions of the "bottle bill" are credited with reducing roadside litter in the state by as much as seventy percent. The intent and objective of solid waste recycling is "to promote and protect the public health and welfare by regulating the safe collection and disposal of solid waste. It reduces the amount of solid waste transported to solid waste facilities saving space in landfills and recovers recyclable matter and delivers them to their final disposal site. It offers alternative refuse and recyclable options and increases participation by the whole community in more efficient solid waste management through a simple and cost effective recyclable plan". Local newspaper accounts of the first public forum on the recycling ordinance held in Troy on June 11, 1992 indicated the eagerness of the residents of Troy to get into the business of recycling. Residents urged the city to keep control of the recycling program when they began it and were particularly distressed that not enough time and effort went into the early ordinance. Also addressed were concerns over the fact that the city waited until three months prior to September 1, 1992, the date that State law required all communities to recycle, to propose its first local law. Apparently the city had no plans for financing the program although it knew as early as 1988 that a plan was to be implemented. No educational materials on recycling were distributed even though an RPI faculty member and a group of students offered their services to develop a public awareness program. City officials were criticized for undermining a growing commitment to recycling. Thankfully this has changed! The enabling legislation for recycling was the Solid Waste Management Act of 1988 (Laws of 1988, Chapter 70) signed into law May 2, 1988. The legislation established a solid waste management policy, and created a state bureau of solid waste reduction and recycling and a state waste management board. Prior to the enactment many cities had voluntary recycling programs that were not mandatory. The legislature believed that there could be a twenty-five percent waste reduction by September 1, 1992 and a fifty percent waste reduction by 1997. Solid Waste Disposal (including recycling) is found in Chapter 14 of The Code of Ordinances of the City of Troy, New York. Solid waste separation is performed at its source or where the solid waste is generated (in the homes, and at businesses such as restaurants, hospitals, hotels, schools, etc.). Section 86 of the recycling ordinance refers to the Citizens Advisory Board. A board can be created at the discretion of the mayor to review and work with the city administration on current and future recycling issues and programs. It can also implement and conduct a program of public education and information on the benefits to society of recycling and reuse of resources Bill Chamberlain, Troy's Solid Waste Management Coordinator, reports that ninety percent of all recycling bills are paid. This may be a good indicator of the level of support recycling still has in our city. Property owners who do not pay their bill will find the charges added on their property tax bill. It is difficult to determine the compliance rate for recycling. The recycling bin may not be used every week. Several years ago Mr. Chamberlain's office distributed thousands of copies of two booklets designed by the Environmental Hazards Management Institute to students from K to 4th grade in Troy schools. The booklets "foster awareness and understanding of environmental issues in an informative and entertaining way to youngsters". Come Along to Trash to Treasure Land and Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rethink . . . Can You Guess the Missing Link are coloring and activity books which introduce young children and students to environmental issues affecting their daily lives. Recently "The Magic of Recycling" a show by nationally-recognized recycling educator Timothy Wenk, visited local schools. The program was sponsored by the Rensselaer County Legislature and the Eastern Rensselaer County Solid Waste Management Authority. Youngsters were taught about recycling in an educational and fun way. Mr. Chamberlain believes that the future success of recycling may well be assured by an understanding of the concept by young people. The city produced and widely distributed an informative and attractive "Recycling Guide" which clearly states how and what to recycle. "The residents of Troy, through the curbside recycling program, have diverted almost two thousand tons of recyclable commodities annually" according to information on the brochure. It costs the city an average tipping fee of $55 per ton for disposable waste. By continuing to be conscientious about recycling the savings each year could reach $200,000 Recently the city awarded its recycling contract to Waste Management of Eastern New York (the only firm to bid on the contract). In the future the administration may consider the possibility of taking on part of the collection of recycling using city workers and city equipment to collect some items, for example, yard waste. A more aggressive collection process is expected. City officials believe that collection is not the major problem; it is disposal that is the problem. It is not easy to find markets for the disposable items. The market price for recycled items varies greatly often from week to week. The cooperation of each resident, whether homeowner or tenant, business or organization, school, hospital or government agency, is necessary to make recycling work. Let's all set a good example for our younger residents. Let's all pitch in and recycle. It's a no brainer! Sources used in compiling this article included The Code and Ordinances of the City of Troy, New York, the Laws of New York, and back issues of The Troy Record. Thanks also to Bill Chamberlain of the Troy Department of Public Works and Troy's Corporate Counsel Pat Morphy. In cooperation with Troy United Ink Corp., a not-for-profit corporation 
|
|||||||||
|
|
||||||||||
