Tonight, any alderman or Streets and San official who wants proof Chicagoans want a working municipal recycling program need only go to the Lincoln Park Nature Museum’s drop-off bin. The bin is heaped full and is overflowing. That so many people are making the time and special effort to drop off their recycling should surely prove something to the city’s elected officials.
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Until Chicago has a functional recycling program, I will continue to scorn any “green” designation the Mayor and city tout, and so will my friends.
Amy heard back from one of the commissioner’s staffers (“We are currently working on a number of projects that should address this issue in the future”). After she challenged him for specifics, she got a response from Picardi himself (or someone who signed his name):
Blue Cart is single stream recycling. It has recently gone from field tests to a regional rollout. By 2011 it will be the main recycling mode for all of our residential customers.
Residents of areas that have yet to transition to Blue Cart may still use our expanded regional drop off centers. If they are not able to do this they may continue to use the Blue Bags until they are officially on Blue Cart. Any Blue Bags placed in the standard black garbage carts will be picked up. While we will no longer pay for mechanical sorting at sorting centers, operators of these centers or the transfer stations where all waste is taken are required by permit to pull these bags and recycle them. Since Blue Bags are used by customers of many private sector haulers who pick up trash and recyclables from high rise residents, they will continue to see Blue Bags at their facilities.
