I've been recycling for many many years. Taking my stuff to the recycling place every few weeks.
I now see Johannesburg is implementing compulsory recycling, which i think is great! And very necessary!
What are your thoughts and experiences?

www.thesouthafrican.com/johannesburg-recycling-what-items-collection-where/

Jewel - you seem like a really awesome person.

I'm a little skeptical about the recycling programmes. I worry that the costs to recycle (transport, cleaning, reworking) outstrip the costs of dumping.

I try to minimise my footprint as much as possible - don't use or reuse instead.

Interesting way of thinking Honorable Member.

It's not about the cost of recycling - it's about saving the environment as much as possible for our kids and their kids.

All we can hope for is that the process is not abused by the tender kingpins like happens too often in SA.

I'm very much into recycling and have always made a habit of separating my refuse. I always put my recyclable stuff in separate refuse bags, which I then place next to or on top my rubbish bin on collection day. It makes it easier for the recycling guys who work very hard and long days, to eke out a living, as what they need is already bagged for them.

I support this proposed recycling initiative, because it will make residents more aware of the need to recycle and will be good for the environment, but I am concerned that it may deprive the current recycling people (individuals who go through your rubbish bin to collect recyclables) of their livelihood, if recycle companies go around collecting the recyclable items.

Sibyl I agree that more thought and planning needs to be done around this project but the main thing is those in power have the thought that something drastic needs to be done with urgency.
Plastic has been harming the precious ocean and it's inhabitants for far too long! As humans we must acknowledge the harm we are doing to the place we call home. The huge number of animals affected by plastic! Sea turtles being damaged by the plastic stuck around their bodies, sea creatures swallowing plastic and dying an awful painfull death, even elephants have been known to ingest plastic bread bags because of the lingering bread smell, and died a horrific death.
The waste we produce is insane and we must take steps to ensure a beautiful clean well run place for future generations to enjoy.
This is especially true if one has or is planning to have kids. I wonder sometimes if parents think about the future they/we are leaving to their kids. I've never wanted human kids but I do think about what kind of Earth we are leaving to future generations.
I talk to the guys at the recycling depot...I asked how they make their money and if they get paid for sorting all the stuff. The one guy told me they only get paid for the stuff they can resell....it's a tough life but they still, with a smile, help me unpack the recycling from my vehicle and take it to the appropriate pile.
Witnessing what these individuals go through on a daily basis makes me incredibly grateful for my blessings.
As humans I feel we all must take greater responsibility for the impact we have on the planet....just my thoughts, no harm intended to anyone!

[QUOTE;1233284;Sibyl] I'm very much into recycling and have always made a habit of separating my refuse. I always put my recyclable stuff in separate refuse bags, which I then place next to or on top my rubbish bin on collection day. It makes it easier for the recycling guys who work very hard and long days, to eke out a living, as what they need is already bagged for them.

I support this proposed recycling initiative, because it will make residents more aware of the need to recycle and will be good for the environment, but I am concerned that it may deprive the current recycling people (individuals who go through your rubbish bin to collect recyclables) of their livelihood, if recycle companies go around collecting the recyclable items.

You are doing a great job Sibyl.I wish the environmental council can introduce this in our households.In Sweden by law every household should have three refuse bags and they are labelled.For cans,plastics and foodstuffs.

The problem should be addressed more at source. Stop producing the plastic packaging and force everyone back to paper bags. They worked for many years before plastic was invented. And with paper, I mean hemp-based paper. And back to glass in stead of tins. Total ban on straws. If we each also start choosing fresh produce over the chemical-slash-gmo-toxic-coctail pre-packaged foodstuffs (that's a laugh. It's anything but food) then there will be no need for the manufacture or packaging of those products. It is actually not just about the environment-it is also about each person's health going forward. LOOK at Europe-they don't have half the plastic problem. Why? Cause they dump it on 3rd world countries. With dumping I mean, they sell their plastic shit here, even though they refuse to use it themselves. And they rape our resources. It's time we stand up to them. Kisses, Mynx

I'm learning to pick my battles....theres nothing I can do about Europe dumping their plastics here....but I do have a choice about what I do with said plastics.
And I also have a choice to take my own material bags for groceries.
We all have choices...it's up to each individual to make the best choice for themselves...but education also plays a key role in the choices we make....a start is better than doing nothing at all....