Trash Me

As terrible an experience it has surely been for South Philly resident David, his experience is a great story:

David has had encountered his share of littering on his block, and has decided to become active about controlling it. Trying to obtain trash cans for his block – the citizens will do the sweeping they just need a place to put it – he has found it’s not easy being cleanly.

His first steps went smoothly enough; contacting the Mayor’s Office, his District Councilman (the responsive Frank DiCicco) and the good folks here at Trash Me. We’ve been able to provide some initial steps in pursuing a receptacle or two for his street.

City-maintained receptacles, as we all learned, can be elusive. From the Streets Department’s Philadelphia More Beautiful Committee David learned that in order to receive a “wire basket” his block must have a block captain. Naturally, his block is captain-less, and now he is faced with the decision to become a block captain himself in order to secure the can.

I would never dissuade someone from becoming a block captain: it’s an excellent opportunity to use your free time to contribute to your community and interact with neighbors. However, as a young professional myself, I understand the difficulty in sparing such free time, and David is now deciding between balancing his block’s cleanliness with his extra hours, just for a trash can he feels his block certainly merits (note, I took a stroll to his neighborhood, and due to the litter caused by nearby pizza and cheese steak shops, it does). Furthermore, becoming a block captain isn’t necessarily an automatic enlistment, as he needs to petition for 51% of his block’s signatures.

Sometimes it’s difficult being the (civic) responsible one. The Streets Department’s request service page is often only one of many steps. For David, his dedication in pursuit of a clean block has been unwavering, and has certainly earned my applause. We’re working with the Streets Department in an effort to find a more efficient and timely way to supply his street with a basket, so this story looks like it should have a happy ending. But I wanted to highlight the effort it could very well take to do the right things; it’s not always easy, but it is possible, so for those becoming discouraged by phone transfers or prerequisites know that there is light at the end of the tunnel... well, maybe not light, but a wire basket and eventual acknowledgement.

In an effort to build revenue for the Streets Department, as well as spark residential recycling, the City of Philadelphia is researching the potential impacts in assessing a fee for garbage collection. Reported by The Inquirer this morning, the idea is only being discussed as officials analyze other cities’ best practices, the environmental impact and the possible effects on residential communities.

The new revenue could balance disposal costs, which total $95 million each year, according to the article (read the full article.)

The article also cites the city’s 8% recycling participation rate and that a garbage fee would encourage more residential recycling.

However, I would like to see the what effect single-stream has on the city before we can use that as a reason; as of just last week single-stream was extended to every corner of Philadelphia, with weekly recycling to be available by the end of the year. I’d like to think that will have a positive effect in recycling rates.

Also, I’m hesitant to embrace the idea due to the threat of increased illegal dumping. Charging residents for a previously free City service would certainly prompt some to take their trash elsewhere, whether that is to the corner wire basket, the closest company dumpster or a nearby vacant lot. Illegal dumping is an issue in Philadelphia that would only be fueled by such a fee.

But what is your reaction? Would this be a welcomed move by the new administration, or a tipping point to push away potential residents and irk those already here? Would the benefits of additional revenue outweigh the costs to the individual? Feel free to toss your ideas out there.

News on research by the Mayor’s Office into the potential for a garbage removal fee has certainly sparked some, er, opining. While I have my own thoughts on this “researched” trash removal fee, I wanted to think outside the box for a moment and suggest a new approach: rather than pay for non-recyclable material removal, why not provide an incentive for diligent recycling? In other words, why hasn’t Philadelphia contacted (or, contracted) Recycle Bank?

I’m sure a few readers are saying, “of course!” Why not recruit the homegrown recycling group that turned diligence into dollars. We can solve municipal needs in more ways than additional taxes and fees. Incentivizing responsibility may be just as effective – and only assumed more welcomed – in boosting recycling percentages and easing the strain on City services, particularly when handled by a private company.

The company’s motto, “Recycle, Record, Reward” seems like a better alternative to the remarks citizens will craft if trash removal is charged. Recycle Bank, featuring a great website that counts the number of trees and barrels of oil is saved daily, picks up recyclables and records the weight of each collection. The amount recycled contributed to a point total, which is used for coupons and discounts and gift cards. Participating partners include Acme, CVS, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Petco.com, among many others.

Unfortunately, this program is invisible in the city. I’ve heard that in previous administrations there has been outreach on the company’s behalf to provide their services to residents, but nothing came of it. Well, why not try again? It is a “new day,” and I’d certainly like to see Recycle Bank given a “new opportunity.”

Rolling once again is one of my favorite programs, The Philadelphia More Beautiful Committee Caravan. This Saturday, July 19th, the Caravan will tote representatives from municipal departments to the 2nd and 15th Police Districts. For caravan times and stops, visit PMBC online or contact your local block captain.

I urge Northeast residents to take a few moments and meet the municipal staff onboard; they’ll be equipped with promotional materials and City service knowledge and are worth 10 minutes of your time. Of course, I think it would be even more worthwhile for a Recycle Bank representative to be onboard, too, but that is a different post.

Responses are always appreciated, and last week Melissa and I received one of the most interesting from West Philly recycling advocate Ben: Ben’s email, with some interesting questions and spirited opinions, provides five pages of criticism, information and ideas.

One of Ben's biggest concerns is the lack of "new blood and new ideas" in the leadership of waste management and recycling. Impressed with the national "Call to Service," he is curious about the hold-over in these positions from the old administration to today.

Ben also argues that embracing a group like Recycle Bank would not force additional work for municipal employees, stating the number of workers on the trucks would remain the same - it would still be a three-person job. He would also like to see recycling rates increase at the paces Wilmington, DE and San Francisco, CA set.

And is he is worried to see occasional recycling being picked up with the regular trash (and he isn't alone).

We like to promote a free exchange of ideas, and hopefully the questions Ben asks will motivate reader responses. Do you believe there is more to do? What effect will the new recycling procedures have on the city? Could it be that the approach the Mayor is taking is part of a well-organized agenda? Feedback is always welcomed.