A friend just alerted me to some fabulous news that came out last week. I'm a bit behind the times, but nonetheless I'm excited - NYC will now recycle all hard plastics!
I know recycling isn't the answer to all of our waste problems. The cycle can only operate a few times on any one piece of plastic. But nonetheless, for things like yogurt tubs that only come in plastic, I'm happy to at least be able to recycle them a few times around. This will still reduce the amount of waste that's sent to landfills, and New York (and the world) need that reduction badly.
I simultaneously worry that this recycling program will make it easier for people (including me on some days) to choose plastic packaging over metal or glass or no packaging, because the guilt over throwing the plastic away could be assuaged by being able to put it in the recycling bin. That issue will take much more effort and education to resolve, but for now this is a step in the right direction.
Another exciting part of that announcement, which should have been more than a blip in the middle, is that the city will also increase their composting ('organic recycling') programs at public schools. Even less landfill waste, and more dirt. I like it.
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