recycling at the gas stations

I really would love to see recycling receptacles at the gas station and hoping the Green Convene Forum is a good place to find people who want to help make this a reality.

I have observed that when filling up at the gas station many people take this time to clean out there car and have resisted the urge myself. After going on a road trip with 4 other people this summer it was easy to see that the amount recyclable waste can accumulate pretty quickly.

Although people’s reasoning for not recycling varies, two documented reasons are that either it’s not available to them or it is too much effort. Having recycling containers at the pump seems to take care of these two reasons.

A few months ago I called around starting with 311 and many numbers later ended up speaking the man who manages the curbside pick up. He said that the monetary return from the recycling pick up pays their expenses, salaries and then still turns a profit that is put back into the city. WOW. However, because they only have one truck and one person doing the pick up that they just couldn’t support gas station pick up. Left with this knowledge I am not really sure where to start now... If anyone with more knowledge about the proper channels to go through or has information about who to start talking to…. Please post.

I would recommend you formulate a workable plan and present it to the local coucil person for whatever area you wish to begin this in. Do not try to implement such a thing in the larger Metro council, as they will not react due to a lack of time and resources. By getting a local on board (Tina Ward for example), you might get her to make the case and push through a mandate....good luck, it has taken me over a year to get her to begin acting on the Frankfort Ave, recycling corridor.

thanks Matt. I will certainly follow up with your recommendation.