The wrong direction
In the annals of Long Island folly, here’s a trend that stands out: We’re actually recycling less than we used to. Recycling rates peaked in 1997 and have declined ever since. From 2002 to 2004 they plummeted 27 percent.
What are we thinking? We can’t afford that.
Contrary to remarks made by Vice President Dick Cheney, recycling is not merely a personal virtue. When folks don’t recycle, it harms the planet and costs taxpayers money.
The trash we don’t recycle is either incinerated or shipped to off-island facilities. Incineration contributes to pollution and global warming. Plus, it costs $80 to $100 per ton, according to the Department of Waste Management of the Town of Brookhaven. Processing recyclables costs only $40. So the more we recycle, the lower our tax bills.
Trucking the trash away is also costly. The Waste Reduction and Management Institute at Stony Brook University estimates that by 2010 Long Island will export some 1.25 million tons of trash per year, requiring 62,500 truck trips, and consuming 7.5 million gallons of fuel. Think of the expense, greenhouse gases and pollution.
To change this picture, we need a “recycling renaissance.” That’s a phrase coined by Citizens Campaign for the Environment, which recently published a report card rating the recycling efforts of Long Island’s municipalities. Of 12 towns and two cities, only Islip earned an A. There were five Bs, two Cs, three Ds and three Fs.
What should our towns and cities be doing? Many things, but three in particular.
