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New Yorkers Not So Good At Recycling
By
Jen Carlson
Published Oct 5, 2009
Modified Oct 5, 2009
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By
Jen Carlson
Published Oct 5, 2009
Modified Oct 5, 2009
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Even with those handy little illustrated tip sheets on how to separate ones recycling from trash, New Yorkers are still confused! Or lazy. Or living in cramped quarters. The Daily News reports that we're throwing recyclables in the regular trash over half the time. Some blame confusion, while others point out there's simply not enough space in cramped NYC living quarters to have a separate container for everything.
To that latter point, the paper points out that "neighborhoods that recycle the most household paper, plastic, glass and metal have more single-family homes. Queens has the best residential recycling record, followed by Manhattan, Staten Island, Brooklyn and the Bronx, which recycles only 34% of what it could."
With all this confusion and lack of space, apartment building owners would rather risk the $25 fine. And, you know, the survival of our planet.
Tagged
earth
garbage
law
recycle
recycling
trash
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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