THE POLITICS OF RECYCLING

 

THE POLITICS OF RECYCLING

I am told that one of our local billionaires is earning more millions by simply collecting the recyclables from their numerous shopping malls all over the country. Take note that I used the term “recyclables”, and not “garbage”. Whatever that rich guy is doing, there is really nothing wrong with that, because his family owns the malls, and there is no corruption involved. Besides, he is doing his part in reducing the volume of garbage that goes into the landfills and dumpsites.

In contrast, I am also told that there are some local officials who are already millionaires, but are earning more millions from the business of collecting, hauling and dumping the garbage into the landfills and dumpsites. There is probably nothing wrong with what these guys are doing, except that there seems to be a conflict of interest with their personal goal of making more money, and their sworn duty to implement their solid waste management programs.

In theory, the more recyclables are collected for “genuine” recycling, the less solid waste there will be to collect, haul and dump. Conversely, the lesser recyclables are collected, the more money can be made from collecting, hauling and dumping. That is the reason why in some localities, even the “presorted” recyclables are thrown back into the rest of the garbage. I think that the solution to this conflict is to have separate trucks for the collection of recyclables. That way, the real recyclers could also make money. IKE SENERES/03-21-2024

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