Talkin' Trash

Talkin' Trash is the first in a series of three posts that deal with trash or re-cycling. What kind of subject is that, you ask?  The answer will become clearer as you read, maybe.

After being away from home for a week, leaving the house for a.n.y.t.h.i.n.g. was not at the top of my list. (I am a list-maker:  SEE HERE and HERE and HERE )  Besides, it's cold outside. I love staying in the house, living in fleece, not having to put on my war-paint every morning.

Him and Me Talkin' Trash:

"Do you know what today is?"

"Yes."

"What day is it?"

"It was Tuesday. All day long."

"Know what happens on Tuesday?"

"Yes."

"What?"

"The trash truck runs."

"Why is the trash still in the garage?"

"Because I didn't take it out."

"Why?"

"Because it's 1/8 of a mile to the street, the driveway is a solid sheet of ice, and it's colder than a witch's tit in a brass bra out there."

"The trash stinks."

"Put it outside. It will freeze. It won't stink anymore. Besides, the trash truck will be back next Tuesday. I promise. It has been driving by this house every Tuesday for 12 years. Trust me."

Know what he did?

TheHansMan mooned me !

See:

Ha ! You looked!  I can't believe it !

And now, for the Rest of the Story:  S.P.E.A.R. Challenge 2007

Swampy's and Pensieve's Excellent Adventure in Recycling

Join us in a Re-cycle Challenge. If you don't re-cyle, now is the time to begin. If you do re-cycle, please give us advice on how to get started. ( And, of course, sarcastic remarks will not only be accepted, they are expected, and will be graded.)

Robin at Pensieve is Here .

So, I guess you might say we are two of the "Internet's Trashiest Bloggers", organized, but trashy.

Comments

[Brian]

Hi SW,

We do recycle, but not through our trash pickup. The area we live in has county recycling, but not in town. So I take newspapers and glass, plastic and metal to the city recycling bins in another county which is where I work.

Sarcastic?

[Pamela]

my first question: Do I have to alphabatize my recyclables? (Had to get my snicker in there)

I worked with a lady who put her Trash in the Freezer. YES SHE DID!!! She froze it, then took it out on trash day. She was a clean freak. EXCEPT about one thing. She clipped her fingernails at her desk, and when she moved to a different department there were all these little nail clippings in the drawers.

Back to the trash, now. The reclycing truck comes to within 3 houses of us - and I've been trying to get it to complete the street. We would have to pay, but I'm willing.

AS of right now I only recycle aluminum and paper. I compost everything - even the soft paper coffee filters. (not meat or such items)

[Pamela]

ps. isn't that romantic. Hans gave you the moon.

[Nessa]

Whenever I see someone at work wasting paper I tell them they are killing more trees. I am very annoying that way.

[Jenny]

Trash...in the freezer. I'm totally grossed out here.

I need to recycle. I just don't know how to get started. Where do I find the recycling bins? What do you do if something is part plastic, part glass?

So confusing...

[mark]

I do recycle, everything I possibly can, at whatever cost. I live in 2 cities - both part-time. The bigger one mandates recycling of certain items and the garbage haulers provide recycling bins. Everything goes in one bin and you do not have to sort it down, our garbage haulers take care of that. You are to recycle aluminum, tin, plastic, office paper/junk mail, corrugated cardboard and newspaper. Participation is not overwhelming (to my disappointment) but discussions are taking place on how to improve it. A long time ago we could recycle glass too but that is no more and I am not happy about that - I'll return to glass in a minute. In the smaller town there are city provided recycling stations where you can recycle everything listed above as well as egg cartons (so I haul them from the big city to the small town to recycle them). One of the things that really burns me is my classmates who will throw away aluminum cans and plastic bottles when they could walk about 10 or 20 feet further and recycle them. Grrrr. Goosefraba. I'm better. Now, my solution for glass is to haul it to Iowa, which is not far away. I'm currently amassing lots of glass bottles to take there in hopes of the 5¢ deposit on each one. I think I'll soon have enough to finance a trip to Houston to pudding wrestle Jenny and then teach her how to recycle. That's right Jenny - It's not over yet and now that I know you don't recycle, you're really in trouble.

[swampwitch]

BRIAN: Sarcastic? You sarcastic? Never ! But there are others who tend to have just a slight flare for it.

PAMELA: Yes, that is a requirement to alphabetize the trash. If I see a fingernail, anywhere, I get the eebie jeebies...even if it's my own. I looked in my freezer and there is no way I would have room for any trash in there. Did she have a freezer just for trash? I had a compost pile once...not sure what happened to it.

PAMELA: P.S. I love it when other people have to add a P.S.

NESSA: You should see the stack of catalogs I have received in the last 4 weeks. I plan to post a picture of them. You will not be happy.

JENNY: I think you go to the re-cycling bin store to find the re-cycling bins...when you ask about the part plastic, part glass item...are you referring to screw-top wine bottles perhaps?

[swampwitch]

MARK: So, Mark, tell me something, do you re-cycle? My daughter and her boyfriend just moved to a large city and they are mandated to re-cycle. I stayed with them for a few days and determined I was not smart enough to live in that large city, so I came home...much to their delight. I had the same question as Jenny...what do you do with glasstic items?

[mark]

SW, I DO re-cycle. It's simple for multi-component items - you go by it's primary component. In Jenny's plastic screw-capped single-serving glass wine bottles you'd recycle it as glass.

[swampwitch]

MARK: You remember I mentioned earlier that some commentors have a slight flare for being sarcastic? That would be me, sometimes. OMG, after that epic comment you left (which is the longest I received so far in my blogging career) it is VERY evident that you re-cycle. I'm going to use it to get started with my own project. Now let's see, how far is it to Iowa? Thanks for taking the time to explain that. My gosh, some of my posts aren't that long. :)

[mark]

SW - I've only just begun. Ask Jenny. I left a comment at her blog once that might have been longer than her post. It was about how kids who don't get to trick or treat miss out on something that they don't understand because they've never experienced it. Just get me fired up and I'm good to go the distance. Oh, and Iowa is 26 minutes away from where I am right now.

[swampwitch]

MARK: Is this anything like IM'ing? I don't think I've ever seen an entire "conversation" in someone's comment section before. But, then again, this is a GlobAsylum not a Blog. Just ask DubYaT what that's all about. No, don't. Will go check out the Trick or Treat comment. As far as Iowa goes, I may have to find a place a wee bit closer to take my plastic screw-capped single serving wine bottles to. So, I guess in keeping with that rule you stated, my wine boxes with the plastic spiket would be considered paper?

[mark]

SW, this is a lot like IM'ing. I think DubYaT calls this a Blat - or Blog/Chat room. I looked up that comment out of my own curiosity - it was the Oct. 11 post by Jenny. And your wine boxes, break them down, throw away the plastic bag with plastic spiket and recycle the corrugated cardboard. Next question?

[swampwitch]

MARK: I'm headed to October 11 at Jenny's place. I will have to research some more about re-cycling before I can ask an "educated-sounding" question about trash. But, thank you very much for spending your evening here at the GlobAsylum Talkin' Trash.

[Gattina]

The daily dialoge of a long lasting marriage ! Sometimes it starts "You forgot to make the coffe" (dialog : 2 h) "You forgot to feed the cats (dialog about the whole day) etc.
Concerning the garbidge, Mr. Gattino has developed a sophisticated "filing" system, cans with cans (washed and folded) paper with paper (thoroughly folded) other trash : cat secured.
You see HE does something for the environment !
Thanks for your comment, and yes I have an accent, lol ! I guess a very british one, mixed up with american words, because I always worked for American companies here in Brussels !

[Jocelyn]

I'm still shaking my head over the trash-freezer lady. Sheesh. Howzabout we throw in a composting challenge as well? That'll drop the amount of trash just as much as recycling...

[Karmyn R]

Get some bins to keep the recycling in (in your garage most likely - so things stay organized.)

A bin for glass
A bin for plastic
A bin for tin/aluminum
A Big Ass Box for cardboard/newspaper/paper.

When the bils get full - take them where theyneed to go.

[claudia]

You could probably contact the waste management dept. and see if they have recycling pickup and which days..maybe they could get you a schedule. If they don't offer recycling, there usually are recycling centers where you can drop it off. Probably the best way to find out where in your town is to ask around! Some grocery stores even take the plastic bags for recycling!

[Pam]

Swampy...a topic near and very, very dear to my heart.
One aluminum can equals the equivalent energy saved that would run your TV for 3 hours. ONE.
It absolutely, positively, undeniably, unequivocably burns my butt to see people with children who DON'T recycle.

Hello?

It's for your children's future...the future they will inherit from us, you big dumbass. AAaaarrrggghhh.

First you find out what options you have in your locale. Call all your waste folks for info and then find out what drop stations there are. For instance, our Humane society takes recycling...it helps pay for some of their programs.
Then it is a simple matter of organizing a sorting system followed by retraining of you and your husband. If you've made a commitment then changing your behaviors usually follows fairly naturally.
Good Luck and thank you for starting to recycle.
Sorry, no sarcasm from me...I such a serious Sally and this is an important topic for me.
;0]
♥Pam

[Robin]

"I love staying in the house, living in fleece, not having to put on my war-paint every morning."

That was my favorite line of this post, even more so than the thought of Hans mooning you :).

I about DIED when I saw 19 comments on this already! Then I saw you and Mark having a good ol' conversation and that explained a lot. Guess I know what MY first order of business is.

And, Swampy, I'll remind you how all this got started, too ;).

[spadoman]

We recycle. We have been doing it for years. It was hard when we lived in a place where we had to take things, clean and separated, to a facility. The town we live in now has a great progrm and is pro-active in recycling. We have an ebvironmental college in the 'hood so they are quite progressive.

We try to not buy packaged items. We use cloth sacks or no sacks at the coop grocery, we buy in bulk in our own containers. Composting is hard, but now we have a yard space and I will start a pile.

we buy a lot of things from the second hand stores as well. Not underwear, but shirts, sweaters and slacks and toys for the Grandkids.

I take my oil from the motorcycle to a recycling spot that the county has. We even have a paint and hazardous recycling. The paint stores give away expired paint, (yes, I was surprised that paint has an expiration date too!). They give it to the paint recycling and many folks buy it for projects. They will tint the paint for $5.00 a gallon at the store. The recycling place sells it for a buck or two.

We are angry that there isn't more you can buy made from recycled things at a reasonable price. Magazines are stacked up and saved until the pile gets too high, then they go to the VA hospital for others to look at. Mostly motorcycle mags from my vice.

Good reading the comments, especially the private IM'ing.

[her indoors]

the council provide us with different coloured bins for recycling, blue for paper, green for garden rubbish, brown for bottles so we are lucky in that we dont have to go to other places to recylce

[Pam]

Hey, it occurs to me...especially after your comment at my place....okay, only after your comment at my place, that I was a bit harsh on people (with children)who don't recycle.
Please accept my sincere apology. I really do feel that way, but have no business blurting it out in such an uncivilized manner.
I humbly apologize.
♥Pam

[barngoddess]

I have OCD regarding trash inside my home. I will not let my inside trash can get filled to the top, once it nears 3/4 of the way full, I HAVE to take it outside to our dumpsters.

I do not recycle anything.But, I do plant trees....does that count?

I checked into recycling once but where I live there are not any recycling facilities. I cannot have trash waiting around for ME to haul off to another town........ick!

[swampwitch]

GATTINA: "Cat secured." and I love your accent.

JOCELYN: Talk to Robin about this challenge thing...We might be able to include that, too.

KARMYNR: So, I need 3 bins and a big ass box? Done! I love your list. I can follow it easily.

CLAUDIA: Found a service that drives by the house. How easy is that? How lazy have I been? No comment.

SERIOUS SALLY (Pam): OK! OK! Quit throwing things at me and calling me a big dumb ass...that should be "A big lazy dumb ass" ! I'm on this thing and will post pictures to prove it. These comments were just the motivation I needed to get off my lazy dumbass and finally do this. Thank You.

SPADOMAN: Now see, this is where I get dizzy. I'm starting with KARMYN's simple list and then hopefully, will progress to where you are. In the meantime, I will be dodging Serious Sally up there from throwing things at me.

ROBIN: Thanks. Jog my memory...none of the rest of my body is jogging. I'm still in fleece and very very scary looking with no war paint.

HER INDOORS: I am so excited about his now. In the beginning, it somehow started at Robin's and she's going to remind me exactly how, but this is going to come to fruition for me. FINALLY!

PAM: Stop it ! H.E.A.R.T. goes here :)

[swampwitch]

BARNGODDESS: Duck, dodge, run...to the nearest recycling center. PAM, SERIOUS SALLY, will seek you out. Just kidding. But, I'm sure you are going to receive some advice if anyone comes back here to read the comments.

[skydancer069]

Ok, ewww to Pam's nail clipper story..I have two people here that insist on cutting their nails at their desk and it makes my tummy turn..have some respect people.
We do recycle and thanks to a friend of mine, everything is washed, label removed and put into separate bins...no I am not obsesive...well I do not think I am.

[Cheeky]

Re-cycle? doesn't that require sorting it out? I am just now getting the teenage daughter to take it out regularly - she is sorta girly so I don't think she will sort it....but....we will see....

[claudia]

You must hang your head in shame for 30 seconds...and then go and get your bins (if they don't provide!!) :)

[Matt]

You mean to tell me that mailman stopping by today wasn't just a one-time thing? They make it a habit of visiting everyone? Damn.

[Pam]

Hey Skydancer...That wasn't me talking about somebodies nails....
;0]
♥Pam

[c]

Sounds like a trashy good time.

[Susan in va]

Boy, Swampy. You and my husband have a lot in common! He's a list maker and a recycler! Any advice on recycling would have to come from him. All I can tell you is that we have three aluminum trash cans - one for glass, one for plastic and one for paper. He hauls them to the recycling center when they are full.

[swampwitch]

SKYDANCER: Pamela's nail clippings story made me shiver...wonder if that lady should start a compost for them?

CHEEKY: Yes, I think that means sorting it out. And, congrats on getting your teenager to take out the trash.

CLAUDIA: I've done 30 seconds of head hangin'. Sorry ! :)

MATT EROFFACT: Yup ! I think they visit everyone. And you thought you were special.

PAM: SS (Serious Sally) Keep us straight.

C: "Sounds Like a Trashy Good Time"...Isn't that a country song?

SUSAN: Sounds simple enough. I think I can do this.

[Jenny]

Recycling *store*? Seriously? Are you yanking my chain?

Mark - Come on down. I'd be happy to get the pointers even though I think you're insane for driving your trash around town.

So how do I recycle all this pudding that's going to waste over here?

[swampwitch]

JENNY: No need to recycle the pudding. Just ask Min how to staple it to the ceiling.