Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with garbage and recycling

Is a specialised drawer under the kitchen sink for garbage & recycling bins a good idea?

UbuRoivas — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 13:35:38 -0800

TrashFilter: Is a specialised drawer under the kitchen sink for garbage & recycling bins a good idea? As part of a kitchen remodel, I'm looking at installing a drawer under the sink for bins.

A number of reputable-looking companies offer readymade solutions. For some reason, they all seem to be European, for whatever that's worth.

I have some issues with the designs & was wondering if anybody out there has experience with these kinds of things? Specifically:

1. Do smells stay in? The bins usually don't have lids, but slide in underneath a shelf *just* above them - not really airtight.

2. Are pests a problem? See above.

3. What are the chances of being able to replace a broken plastic bin, years down the track? The designs all rely on the vendor's particularly shaped & designed bins.

4. Most importantly: what do these solutions offer, that makes them any better than just having a normal drawer under your sink, and putting your own bins from K-Mart or Ikea in there?

There's obviously a market for these specialised designs, so what's the big appeal?

Does any of our stuff actually get recycled??

jehsom — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 13:54:40 -0800

How can I make sure my recycling is not ending up in a landfill? Today I just watched my trash/recycling company dump my three weeks' worth of recycling into the same truck as my trash. Just like that. I am indignant.

I want to switch trash companies (because it's not regulated where I live), but I want to know how I can make sure my recycling will actually make it to a recycling center instead of ending up in a landfill. Thanks!

Kitty litter disposal dilemma

analog — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 19:30:43 -0800

Apparently biodegradable plastic bags are causing problems in my city's waste and recycling/green bin system. I did not know this. What should I do about disposing of my kitty litter? I thought I was doing a good thing by using biodegradable bags in my green bin, but apparently this affects Toronto's bottom line (the bags reportedly don't navigate well in the green bin system and they contaminate recyclable plastic when placed in the blue bin). The city apparently doesn't want compostable bags to be used, either. So the question is this: Should I use non-biodegradable bags and keep my kitty litter in the green bin (apparently they remove the bags in the process)? Or use biodegradable bags and put the litter in the garbage? Which is the lesser sin? Just so you know, composting my litter is not an option in my current housing set-up.

Oh, and the cat whose waste is prompting this question - here. Thanks for your input...

Is my recycling really being recycled?

purpleclover — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 13:50:17 -0800

How is it possible that paper is not hopelessly contaminated in single-stream recycling? My county is going to a single-stream recycling system soon. I don't understand how any usable paper is retrieved from bins that are full of drips of salad dressing and beer from bottles, dampened by rain, etc. I found this Recycling Today article from 2002 that talks about broken glass being a significant contaminant, but 2002 was a long time ago. Is it any better now? Or are we just feeling eco-virtuous but secretly sending our paper off to a landfill?

Ok, what's really worth recycling?

swimming naked when the tide goes out — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 13:38:47 -0800

After reading this old recycling thread, I wonder something..... 1) We are reasonable able to list off the things that are accepted at recycling depots...cardboard, various plastics, computer equipment, etc.

2) People more knowledgeable than I know what effort it takes to transport, break down, and re-use the materials that are gleaned from this recycling.

3) So is there a list of each of these materials, listing which are worth recycling and which are not, based on the value of the recovered materials and what transportation costs are associated with them?

I want to use/buy less stuff, but the stuff that I do buy and use, I want to know *specifically* what's better to put in the landfill myself rather than paying my taxes to pay a private company to ship somewhere else that may result in the refuse being thrown in a landfill farther away.

Pre-snark: I know that recycling is valuable for a number of things and wish to do what I can. I also don't want to further hurt the planet by just following directions blidly.

Secrets of the garbage and recycling industry? What is not so green? etc

abbat — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 18:02:34 -0800

With everyone being "green" and rushing to save the planet, what are some of the things that people should be wary off? From sketchy advertising to just pure fraud to other not so obvious ploys. For example, there was a story in my local paper where a reporter found out the city did not actually recycle some of the truckloads of compost for a period of time because of unforseen circumstances. There was a cover up and this was going on when the city paid a premium price to have the waste recycled. People believed that they were helping the planet by recycling instead of putting out the waste in the landfills. What other things have you read or seen first hand in your city or community or workplace?

Toronto electronics disposal?

LukeyBoy — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 06:40:08 -0800

Where can I dispose of broken tech and appliances in Toronto? I've got a bunch of old, dead computer parts, a busted laptop, a dead vacuum, and well the list goes on. I've been hoarding them since I can't just toss them in the garbage obviously. We're paying a disposal tax now on all electronics purchases and I thought that disposal centers went along with that but I can't seem to find them. Anyone know the best way to dispose of this stuff? Thanks.

Elegant trash/recycling bins?

Manhasset — Fri, 20 Oct 2006 08:29:53 -0800

I have little under-cabinet space and and am looking for a somewhat elegant solution to trash/food waste/recycling. Because of the lack of under-counter space, I need something free-standing and preferably with a small footprint. Suggestions? Requirements:

- lid is a must
- small footprint (tall is much better than wide though short and not wide is fine, too)
- way of latching a bag of some kind on
- one can that solves two issues (ie, trash and food) is good. one that solves all three is grand.

I quite like this two in one can but: a) it's very pricey and b) it's meant for recycling, which means there's no easy way to attach a bag. Anyone make anything similar that's for garbage and food waste?

And... anyone know of an online retailer for Simple Human products that's super cheap? The cans are cheaper in stores than on the site so I assume there are places online that are even cheaper than brick and mortar.