B'More Recycling- Far lower than previously thought

What's up with southern Essex 4% recycling rate?

“Anne Arundel County has spotlighted residential recycling through TV and print ads, mailers, contests and even free recycling bins for all residents,” according to county spokesman David Abrams. “We saw a big jump in single-stream rates, which now average 26 percent -- a ten point bump.”

Not bad.  But the new, improved rate is still barely halfway toward the 50 percent mark. What if government tried even harder to inform and encourage people to recycle?  Neighborhood contests, with prizes? Charging for waste collection by pound? Follow Pittsburgh, San Diego and San Francisco's lead and make residential recycling mandatory?

For those who’d like to raise their recycling game without gimmicks or government intervention, here are a few tips:

1.  Organize: Ensure your trash system is set-up for half recycling and half trash.  

2.  Know the “yes” list: Click here for a terrific one-pager with pictures, courtesy of Baltimore City.

3.  Nudge. Be an advocate: Old habits die hard, and people have silly reasons for not recycling. Here’s some ammo: recycling doesn’t get burned; not recycling drives up trash expenses; and single-stream can’t get easier, unless a house elf does it for you.