One great thing about Nova Scotia is the province's extensive recyclying program. You name it, it can be recycled, including food and organic waste (which is actually collected in big green bins and composted). Not only that, every town, city, and organisation is on board. Whether you are at the mall, the airport, or walking around downtown Halifax, there are separate receptacles for paper, bottles, and compostable materials.
Over here on the West Coast, it's a very different story! Sure, they recycle paper and bottles, but to recycle all those plastic bags I get from the stores (despite being very good about bringing my reusable bags, I still end up with plastic) I have to drop them off in the bin at the grocery store. It can be very difficult to find a recycling bin for bottles on the street or at a public place, and absolutely impossible to find a way to recycle papers. The worst, however, is what happens to the recycling bin in the lobby of my building, where residents throw their junk mail. The other day, I discovered that the concierge in my building takes the recycling bin and THROWS THE CONTENTS IN THE GARBAGE! Disgraceful!
There is hope, however. The latest issue of Granville (a city magazine with an eco twist) contains an article entitled, "Green Box Envy", which addresses the issue of Vancouver's reluctance to adopt an organic recycling program. The author examines the program that exists in different areas of Canada, and talks about the strides that Vancouver has taken so far in establishing a working program.
Bottom line: it's time for individuals to take action. Recycle everything you can, try to ensure that when you recycle it doesn't just get put in the garbage, and send emails to your local councillors telling that you want an organic recycling program now!
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