Recycling rip-off?

MakingEndsMeetToo

I've just returned from the recycling centre, having posted my bottles and had my fingers crushed by the stupid metal cover on the letterbox flaps in the cardboard recycling skip (why do they have such small openings?), when a thought occurs to me. Here am I, along with the other dutiful recyclers providing gratis raw materials for a fully-fledged business, delivered to a convenient collection point. Shouldn't I (we) be paid for this service?

In the early days when we got a nice warm feeling from being "green" it might have been OK, but hasn't the world moved on? After all in the "good old days" manufacturers recognised the value to their business of receiving recycled bottles and paid accordingly. Isn't it time that the beneficiaries of the other hand-picked materials did likewise?

Cardew

I doubt if many recycling centres operate at a profit; I believe most receive a subsidy from the local council.

notsoclevertrevor

It always bugs me that I don't get paid for recycling bottles or cans like in other countries. But then again I also think I should get paid for sitting around in my pants watching TV. What can you do?

Idiophreak

The slots are kept small to try and stop people setting fire to the things, obviously it doesn't work, but at least they try

I don't give two hoots about recycling these days...so much of the stuff we "recycle" ends up on ships to China, it kinda defeats the point tbh.

Rolandtheroadie

64000 cola cans (about a ton)will get you approx £400 right now. They have to be clean and delivered to the buyer. Where are you going to keep a ton of cola cans?.

Glass at most (June) is £33 delivered to the buyer.

Newspapers? £70 per ton.

MakingEndsMeetToo

scotsman4th wrote: »

64000 cola cans (about a ton)will get you approx £400 right now.

So for my ten cans, I could expect 6p. Every little helps.

More seriously, they could have something like a token scheme which would make payments to specified charities.

MakingEndsMeetToo

Idiophreak wrote: »

The slots are kept small to try and stop people setting fire to the things...QUOTE]


How big's a match???

Idiophreak

MakingEndsMeetToo wrote: »

How big's a match???

I think they're relying on those stupid enough to set first to the things having very poor dexterity

Taadaa

Having installed a load of bins in an office environment, i think the reason the slots are small is to stop people putting things they shouldn't in them. So for a can bin, a can shaped hole. I think though that if you are motivated enough to take your waste to a site, you are going to make sure you put it in the right place. Personally I would forget the raw materials business and make a claim for your crushed fingers!!

Shiny.Side.Up

Some tescos do give you clubcard rewards

A_fiend_for_life

notsoclevertrevor wrote: »

It always bugs me that I don't get paid for recycling bottles or cans like in other countries. But then again I also think I should get paid for sitting around in my pants watching TV. What can you do?

I think many countries operate on a deposit system so you only get back what you've paid.