Talking trash

‘ ‘ ‘ The city of Pittsburgh is taking action to ‘redd up’ the city and make recycling easier… ‘ ‘ ‘ The city of Pittsburgh is taking action to ‘redd up’ the city and make recycling easier for residents. ‘ ‘ ‘ Mayor Luke Ravenstahl’s administration announced Tuesday that it is no longer necessary for residents to sort their recyclables by material. All recyclables ‘mdash; from bottles and cans to newspapers ‘mdash; can be placed in the same blue bag. Cardboard is the only item that will need to be separated. The citywide endeavor will officially begin Nov. 3. ‘ ‘ ‘ When the city implemented the simplified recycling pilot program in Pittsburgh’s central, Downtown and eastern neighborhoods earlier this year, almost 10 percent more households began recycling, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘With help from the city, we’ve implemented an extremely successful recycling program. Everything from cooking oil to cardboard is being recycled. And with Steelers fans now recycling in the stadium, we are now the black, gold and green city,’ said Ravenstahl, according to WPXI news. ‘ ‘ ‘ We applaud the city’s decision to make the recycling process easier. The move will not only make Pittsburgh a more environmentally friendly city but will also benefit the city financially. ‘ ‘ ‘ The city government receives $46.46 for every ton Pittsburgh recycles. Furthermore, the city will save hundreds of thousands of dollars through reduced landfill fees, according to the Post-Gazette. ‘ ‘ ‘ For many Pittsburghers who find it difficult to recycle, this news comes as a relief. With an easier system, there will be no excuse for residents not to recycle. ‘ ‘ ‘ But, in a way, the citywide initiative is an incomplete solution. Part of the reason why people do not recycle is because they do not understand the rules that go along with it. ‘ ‘ ‘ The misconceptions are countless. Is it OK to recycle paper with staples? Can bottles that contain liquid be recycled? Can labels be left on plastic items? The answer to all the aforementioned questions is yes, but it is precisely questions like these that might be preventing many people from taking the initiative to recycle. For some, recycling is confusing and simply too much work. ‘ ‘ ‘ For this reason, the city has an obligation to educate its residents about what recycling does and does not entail. Residents should be made aware that recycling is not as difficult as it may seem. Pittsburghers should also be informed of the benefits that come with recycling, from environmental to financial gains. ‘ ‘ ‘ The Pittsburgh Public Works web site and Pitt’s Facilities Management page already do a good job of this, but it’s not enough. City and Pitt officials should make a broader effort to reach out to their constituents, inform them of the benefits of recycling and clear up any misconceptions.