The 3 Rs: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle

THE THREE Rs:
Reduce, Reuse and Recycle Today's schoolchildren learn a new kind of "Three Rs" along with the old reading, writing, and arithmetic. The City of Chicago in 1993 committed itself to a comprehensive plan to "reduce, reuse, and recycle" to conserve resources and manage better the more than 4 million tons of waste produced annually by the city's homes and businesses. The program was phased in over several years, starting with homes served by the City Department of Streets and Sanitation and moving to the businesses and multi-family dwellings whose trash hauling is handled by private contractors. The City's Department of Environment has brochures targeted at everyone's needs. Call 312-744-SORT.

Recycle at Home Every Day Chicago's "Blue Bag Recycling Program" got a smooth start in many neighborhoods, thanks to block clubs and community groups working with the city to educate people. Some groups held special meetings to explain the program. Others encouraged landlords of homes--from single-family dwellings up to four-flats--to include information about recycling when they welcomed new tenants to the neighborhood.

It's in the (Blue) Bag Residents place recyclable materials in blue bags and put them out with their trash in their city-supplied black garbage bins. A family sorts recyclables into two bags: one for clean glass, metal, and plastic containers and the other for dry paper and cardboard. Use 1.5 mil. thick bags, available at local stores. Even before you get to the recycling stage, look to minimize your waste, reuse "disposables" such as bags, envelopes, and jars, and think about how your household can cut its trash production. Learning to "integrate" your solid waste handling practices is better in the long run. There's an appropriate time for all these practices: using less "stuff" to start with, conserving resources, sending some waste to landfills, recycling where programs exist, composting if possible, and reusing materials.

Promote Recycling at High-Rises
One high-rise condo--newly included in the recycling ordinance in 1995--uses recycling as a selling point. Knowing that the buyers it sought were very supportive of recycling and environmentally friendly initiatives, the management company proudly included its comprehensive building recycling plan in its sales materials. A visible commitment by building managers to recycling and source reduction--through signs and services--has helped give the entire building a strong community feeling.

Recycling More and More The second phase of the city's recycling and source reduction plan covers businesses and large multi-family residences that use private waste haulers to cart away their trash. Since 1995, workplaces and large residence buildings have recycled at least two items on the city's list of recyclables, such as cans and paper. Since 1996 began, they have added a third item to their list or adopted two practices that eliminated waste at the start.

Support Those "Three R" Businesses One office, like so many in Chicago, has recycling bins throughout the work areas for white office paper and mixed office paper. In the lunchroom are bins for newspapers and catalogs as well as cans and bottles from nearby vending machines. Corrugated cardboard also is bundled for recycling. You'd think the recycling push came from managers interested in saving money, but it was an employee group that proposed the comprehensive plan and won points for initiative along the way.

Show Your Appreciation Businesses have to comply with the law, of course, but many, like the office above, go above and beyond what's required. Show them that you appreciate their hard work by patronizing their businesses. When you see the "Three Rs" in action, say thanks. If you know that a law office donates its used office paper to the local schools for scratch paper or a dry cleaner recycles everyone's hangers and plastic, let the managers know you appreciate their thoughtfulness and extra efforts.

Make Recycling Part of Your Neighborhood Festival Neighborhood festivals can be a case study in trash production--and proper solid waste handling. Many of the festivals across the city each summer have followed the recycling and trash handling guidelines suggested in Keep Chicago Beautiful's Guide to Recycling at Chicago Summer Festivals. Says Mayor Daley in the Guide, "Recycling is good for the environment, helps you control your disposal costs and helps you keep your festival clean. It is also appreciated and expected by your guests."

Follow Your Guide You can keep your costs and litter down by planning carefully for the disposal of packaging, food, and drink, and other trash at your festival. Most of your packaging can be recycled if you keep it clean and separate from the trash. Follow the Guide's advice and talk to several waste haulers to find out how they can handle your needs. You'll need to educate your vendors and festival-goers to make recycling easy. Consider an appearance by "Les Waste," Keep Chicago Beautiful's mascot, who can entertain your guests and teach them to recycle and dispose of trash properly. This blues-loving blue bear makes the message memorable! When you apply to the Mayor's Office of Special Events, 312-744-3315, for your festival permit, you will receive the Guide in your packet. Organizers for the more than 400 festivals in Chicago each year are invited to a meeting in December to hear festival rules and helpful suggestions. Call Keep Chicago Beautiful, 312-984-0448, to schedule an appearance by Les Waste.