Recycling Picture of the Week: John Day Fossil Beds

Here’s the commentary for this week’s picture:

First, here’s a portion of the letter we received from our reader Darlene Frye:

“…I am forwarding you a picture I took on our vacation to Central Oregon. …The new Visitor’s Center at the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument near Dayville was designed by the National Park Service with recycling in mind. The containers are made of recycled plastic, are decorative and help prevent cross contamination by their design and labeling. The top of each recycling container clearly states whether it’s for cans, glass or plastic. They were designed into the sidewalk near the exit of the center rather than being placed as an after thought. In addition, every feature’s parking area within the Monument had a set of recycling containers next to the rest facilities. No excuse not to recycle.

Darlene M. Frye”

And Jim’s response:

“Darlene!

That’s a great picture with a good description of their situation. It looks like a postcard! Thanks! Jim”

This week’s picture is a “scrap car” from western Washington. I’d say its time for a new ride! Thanks to David Baker for sending us this picture which was taken by Shannon McLelland.

Recycling Picture of the Week: Commercial Set Outs

A big thank you to Chris Bell for sending us this picture! My appologies for forgetting to credit this in the newsletter - Brian

Here is a picture that is sure to give most recyclers a heart attack. This photo was taken in a small Southwestern Town in New Mexico. This is a typical commercial set out. Since most commercial customers do not use a container or dumpster, businesses set all their waste (and recycling too) in one area where it is picked up for disposal. Based on my observations, I would estimate approximately 15 to 20% of the total volume taken to the landfill is cardboard. You could call this photo the “need for recycling” picture.

Recycling Picture of the Week: Disneyland

This week’s pictures come to us from Rob Guttridge of Clark County, WA. Below is the message he attached with the picture.

Our family went to Disneyland just before Christmas, and we were pleased to see containers for recycling cans & bottles next to the waste containers throughout the park. Apparently the recycling ethic there comes from the top: while visiting Mickey Mouse’s own residence in Toontown, my wife took this picture of his personal source-separation system

Recycling Picture of the Week: Eden Mercer!

Eden Mercer in Luxembourg?

(Editor: I’ve edited down an e-mail we received Nov. 20th from our ol’ buddy Eden Mercer whom many of you know from her various jobs in the Pacific Northwest and the Washington State Recycling Association. The last time we heard from Eden she was in China, I believe. She’s gotten married to some lucky guy and her last name is now Mack. She tells me that she and her husband are now in Luxembourg after living near London for awhile. Thanks for staying in touch we us Eden, I always like to hear what you’re up to, since it is always more exciting than what I happen to be doing! Jim Now let’s get to Eden’s letter:)

I’ve been meaning to send you recycling pictures. In all of the transitions, disks and pictures have gotten put in weird places and at the moment basically everything is in storage having just arrived a few weeks ago. I’m always taking pictures of recycling where ever I go, and I have quite a collection, but they are not yet organized. Your picture idea has gotten me thinking that I should maybe try to publish all of the pictures that I’ve been taking from all of the places I’ve been. For now I’ve found a couple that you might enjoy sharing.

The first is of an ad campaign in London. As you can probably tell, this is taken in the Paddington Tube station. I would recommend checking out www.recyclenow.com to see the TV ad and a great compilation of recycled products. (Editor: Check out the animated Christmas Greeting on the top of the page! Jim) One of the things that England has done in the past few years is institute a per ton fee on tonnage to the landfills which is now funding government agencies that are working to improve recycling all over the UK (similar to the Alameda county concept). Seattle’s own David Dougherty continues to be very involved with the agency (UK WRAP) that is running this ad campaign.

The second was taken in Quanzhou, China while I was on the urban planning studio through UW. We were touring around our study area, and came across this “high tech” PET recycling facility. If I understood the translation correctly, each bottle is worth only a fraction of a penny, but due to the level of poverty or frugality in China, it was incredibly rare to see bottles in the garbage or on the street. When we ate our lunch at street side restaurants, elderly people wouldn’t even wait until we were finished to ask for the bottle.

I hope all is well with you. As always, I enjoy getting the newsletter.

Eden Mack (formerly Mercer)

Recycling Picture of the Week: Chinese Cardboard Houses

This week’s pictures come forwarded to us from our reader Dan Gee, they were taken by Kent Olmstead on a recent trip to China.

These are OCC “Houses” at Chenming Paper in China. They build 8-10 for winter storage of domestic OCC. Each house is approximately 5000mt and it takes 20 people 5 days to build a house.

Recycling Picture of the Week: Evil Plastic Contamination

Alex Cuyler from the City of Eugene sent us this photo with the following description: This photo was not staged! It was taken back in 2001 during a food waste study that the City of Eugene did in conjunction with the Oregon DEQ. If you are composter who is concerned about plastic contamination, it about sums that issue up.

Recycling Picture of the Week: Capital Theatre Recycling

This week’s picture comes to us from Loretta Zammarchi in Yakima!
Capitol Theatre patrons will now be able to recycle their programs and intermission beverage containers thanks to the efforts of Rebecca Hawk Elwood, President of the Capitol Theatre’s Backstage, an all volunteer organization dedicated to supporting the Theatre.

Durable, fire safe steel and aluminum containers were purchased to serve as the recycling containers. Local glass artist Carolyn Bowman transformed the bins with elegantly designed recycling signage. The signage reflects the décor and colors of the beautiful Capitol Theatre.

The “designer bins” were presented at a festive October Backstage meeting with Ms. Elwood and friends garbed in full Halloween attire singing to the tune of the Beatles’ hit, “Yesterday, all my garbage was so far away…”

Standing applause for the commitment and efforts of the Capitol Theatre!

(Names of people singing..”Yesterday” from left to right are: Gretchen Eickmeyer, Cristeen Vallicoff, and Rebecca Hawk Elwood)

Recycling Picture of the Week: Tractor Recycler

This week’s Recycling Picture is from right here at Earthworks. One of our favorite neighbors is hauling his cardboard for recycling, the old fashioned way!

Recycling Picture of the Week: Interesting Translations

Here are a few pictures that have come in from Shannon McClelland, Recycling Coordinator for City of Shelton and Mason County.

We still need your pictures! If you’ve taken a picture of a unusual recycling activity, send it in so we can include it here in DTN.