Odd being in Maryland

Two things about Maryland puzzle me and don't make a whole lot of sense when compared to the rest of the civilized world. Heh

1. For some reason residents still aren't able to co-mingle their recyclables into a single stream pickup container. Paper goes in one while another is for paper and cardboard. One huge bin on wheels for the paper, a small one for glass, cans, plastic, etc. I just find this weird because we're so used to being able to toss everything into one bin.

2. You cannot buy beer or wine much less any harder liquor in a grocery store in Maryland. We're very familiar with other states which have state run liquor stores where hard liquor is sold but beer and wine are sold in grocery stores. Maryland makes things very inconvenient and in this day and age, it's very weird. It's like they still consider residents children. I know it's a state in the profit making business, but come on, most states have conceded the beer.

Comments

[Frank]

We mix everything up in our recycle container, but we don't know if they actually separate it. I don't trust the recipients. I would have more faith if it was separated like Maryland. Can you check with Waste Management?

[Diane Meyer]

Frank, I have made 3 trips to the recycling separation plant in Earth City with Clayton's public works people because I'm on a board which deals with "green" issues. And I can tell you they do separate and it is a fascinating process to witness. I'd go again it was that interesting. http://rmcrecycle.com/08facilities.htm

Here are links to two blog posts I did from visits there. If you ever get a chance to go out there you would not regret it.

http://respublica.typepad.com/respublica/2007/01/where_does_all_.html

http://respublica.typepad.com/respublica/2010/01/400-tons-of-recycling-moved-per-day.html

[Frank]

Thanks for double checking it. I did not have a clue.

[JQM (Clayton)]

Curbside Collection Problems

On NPR, Samantha McBride (prof at Columbia U) "emphasized that the value of glass is destroyed when it is included in co-mingled curbside collections" says NPR. She says, "It is going to be going to very low end uses as aggregate or road base. And there's absolutely no reason why glass could not be treated differently, either separately collected or better yet routed back for refill using a strong deposit system such as they have in Europe"