Scuttlebutt

By Mitch McFarland

    Change is coming to the Point Arena recycle drop-off at Arena Cove.  I have recently been writing about the problem of contamination at the drop-off, which has reached unacceptable levels for the hauler.  They have requested major changes to the use of the facility- or its closure, which they would prefer.  This would require Point Arena residents to travel the 30 mile round trip to the Fishrock transfer station to recycle, even if they had not enough landfill items to justify the trip.  The other option, of course is signing up for collection service.

      Large amount of trash, as well as potentially recyclable items that are not accepted due to lack of a market have created an untenable situation.  As a result city officials have met with the hauler to try to work out a plan that would allow the drop-off to remain open while reducing the amount of landfill items being left.

     Some of the problem is due to the confusion on the part of users as to what is actually accepted- not what is “possibly” recyclable.  It seems that the single steam recycling has contributed to this problem. The wide variety of items deposited in those dumpsters- some of which is not acceptable- may lead some to believe that the non-recyclable items seen in the bins indicate that perhaps maybe they are recyclable.  If one sees styrofoam or bubble wrap in the dumpster, it is not a stretch for them to think they, too, should be recycling styrofoam, despite knowing in the back of their mind that styrofoam is never recyclable.  Markets do change, so one could allow themselves to believe that perhaps styrofoam is now recyclable.

     In the coming weeks the drop-off will be reorganized to eliminate single stream containers.  Individual bins for glass, plastic (#1 and #2 only), paper and cardboard, and metal cans will replace the larger dumpsters.  This should make it more obvious what items are accepted for recycling.  Enhanced signage will clearly indicate what can be left in each bin.  It will also make it easier for city employees monitoring the facility to identify and remove landfill items.

      Additional scrutiny by users is of utmost importance and will be encouraged by the use of the existing video cameras at the cove.  Repeat and serious offenders will be contacted.

     Closure of the drop-off would be a major setback for the local waste diversion.  An unfortunate  consequence of a closure is that it would most impact those who have made a serious effort to integrate recycling into their waste diversion scheme.

      I fill several 35 gallon garbage can with recyclables  before I fill one with landfill items.  My “garbage” consists mainly of contaminated film plastic, used tea bags, styrofoam food “trays”, cellophane, and other packing materials.  That doesn't take up much room in a landfill can and I don't make the drive to the transfer station unless I have a truckload of material.  That would mean that I would also have numerous full cans of recyclables by the time I really needed to go to the dump.  Otherwise, I would have to make several trips just to recycle.

     Another unfortunate aspect is that those of you who are bothering to read this probably are not a big part of the problem.  I suspect that most of the non-recyclable items left at the cove are from folks who don't really care much about recycling, but love the sight of an open dumpster.  That is where the cameras may be helpful.    Minor violations of policy are not going to be met with draconian enforcement, but those who egregiously ignore proper procedures will receive notice with penalties possible (dumping trash in the bins is classified as littering).

     City employees all have primary duties in addition to monitoring the drop-off.  When I worked at the pier I know that there were individual citizens who are as serious about recycling as I am.  Several told me that when they visit the site, they often remove items from the bins that they know to be landfill items.  This kind of volunteer assistance is very helpful and appreciated.  This is what some people call “community”.

     I recently put up a sign at the drop-off briefly describing the contamination problem and stating that changes are coming to the system and that hopefully citizens will embrace the change.  Soon after someone graffitied the sign declaring that the city should hire an employee to operate the drop-off- referencing the city as too “cheap” to do so.

     Obviously, this person knows or cares little about the finances of Point Arena or they would realize that that is not fiscally possible.  More importantly, though, is the point that many of us don't need the government supervising every aspect of our lives.  Most of us are responsible for our actions and endeavor to be good citizens, yet there are those among us who expect the government to wipe their noses every time they sneeze, then complain about excessive government intrusion into their lives.

     So I must ask those who use the facility to please be conscious of what you are doing (not bad advice in general).  Break down cardboard boxes.  If you use garbage bags to collect your recyclables, empty them into the proper bins.  Not only are those garbage bags not recyclable, but often are used to hide non-recyclable items.  Since your recyclables should be relatively free of contamination and filth, you can reuse those bags.  Additional signage should make it easier to know what to do.  Read the signs.  Have a conversation with friends about how they use the drop-off.

     Please help to protect the use of our facility.