Tacoma bars and restaurants vs. recycling: comments

Weekly Volcano Blogs: Walkie Talkie Blog

July 23, 2009 at 1:20pm

MICHAEL SWAN: COMMENTS ON OUR COVER STORY TODAY >>>

Paul Schrag penned the Weekly Volcano cover story this week reporting that bars and restaurants in Tacoma would like to recycle, but sometimes it ain't easy being green.

Here's an excerpt:

Since curbside recycling was introduced a couple decades ago, businesses have struggled with the extra cost that comes with being environmentally responsible. The fundamental question becomes, whose job is it to pay for all this? Business owners would like government agencies to help pay the bill by providing free recycling services, assuming that cities could make money managing and selling recycled materials, just like private companies do. Many restaurant owners who have recycled glass in the past say they have stopped recycling to manage costs. One restaurant manager, who asked not to be named, says that itâ€™s simply too expensive to pay to recycle glass. Thereâ€™s no incentive.

Read the full story here.

The following are comments on this issue posted underneath the story on our Web site.

Submitted 08:41 on Jul 23, 2009 by Jason
Perhaps Panago should just up the drink prices by a quarter. If Matador serves 28 drinks in a day. It's paid for. Keep the cost of recycling between the business and the patrons.

Submitted 09:57 on Jul 23, 2009 by ...
Recycling is something that is a top priority for me. As I relatively new business owner, I was surprised to find that there was an extra charge for a recycling bin at commercial properties, whereas it is free and encouraged for people to use in their residences. I end up filling up bins in our back storage room with glass, paper and plastic...then bringing it all home once a week to toss in my recycling bin there. Not fun, but much easier than it would be if I were in the restaurant/bar business for sure!

Submitted 10:03 on Jul 23, 2009 by incredulous
How does "17 million tons produced, 2.5 million recycled" translate to "glass is difficult to reuse?" Because of the rate of return or actual recycling issues? This is sloppy reporting.

What are your thoughts on the issue?

Filed under: Environment, Food & Drink, Tacoma,

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