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Originally Posted by Plan9
In America everybody has cars. For no reason. People that live in the city have giant SUVs. Most families have extra vehicles. Hell, I've got a car and a motorcycle and I spend most of my time far, far away from 'em. Transportation isn't an issue so much as it is the general hassle of trying to "go green" because it's mandatory (I wonder if they'll ever have a special recycling gestapo), not because it's a good idea. That and most Americans are both incredibly myopic and super lazy and reluctant to do anything good for anybody except themselves. "Fuck the planet, my taxes are so high!"
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I just saw a number that suggested there are 2.28 vehicles per American household. So, on average, an American household has at least 2 vehicles, while several have 3 or more. I'm sure the numbers differ widely between urban and rural settings however....which leads to my next points.....
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In civilized ("socialist") countries, such as Germany, recycling containers are next to trash containers nearly everywhere throughout the city. Even when I was piss drunk and stumbling through the cobble-stoned streets of Munchen, I could find a place to recycle my empty (gah... useless!) bottles.
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This is the same in Toronto.
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If communities were better organized this wouldn't be a problem. If tax dollars helped transport the materials to the site, no problem. As an example, my ancient parents live in an area where recycling is picked up on Tuesday, trash on Thursday. You put out the blue bin one day, the trash cans the other.
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In Toronto this happens too if you have curbside collection (i.e. single-unit dwellings), but even with managed apartment buildings the same might occur, depending on the setup. Regardless, Toronto has a simplified system: if it's recyclable, put it all into the Blue Bin (aluminum, paper, glass, whatever). Compost goes into the Green Bin (however, not nearly enough apartments have a Green Bin option). If it's not recyclable, it either goes into the trash or must be dropped off at a depot for proper disposal (depending on the material).
There are many private services that will take your shit off your hands for a reasonable price if you don't have a vehicle or couldn't be bothered. But I chalk this up with being in a metropolis. I'm sure things aren't as easy elsewhere. But I think this is more along the lines of an ideal.
I think the trick is to keep it simple. The disadvantage to Toronto's system is that it must pay more for sorters when the stuff gets to the depot. However, at least it makes it easier for compliance at the source. You can't have a highly functional recycling program if people couldn't be bothered and just throw things in the trash, with a risk of fine or not. I think where people have the most confusion with Toronto's system is with the specifics: is this metal takeout container recyclable? (Probably not.) Can I recycle this plastic bag? (Not if it's clear.) etc.....
The information is out there though. And at least you don't have to sort. For the most part, it either goes into the Blue Bin or goes into the trash.