As of today, half my household garbage is being recycled.

[RB TexLa]

We get two pick up containers from the city, equal size. One's for recyclables one for non. We have recyclables picked up every other week, and today the recycle one was full the other half full, both were half full last week.

This is the first time I have lived somewhere where recycling is conveniently available, so it's been pretty interesting seeing how much actually can go into the recycling container.

[driver8]

1. It's great, isn't it?

We recycle as much as we can. My kids now ask me, "Daddy, is this recyclable?".

[SharonRB]

2. We can recycle almost everything except real garbage

All of our plastic (doesn't matter what number it has on the bottom), metal and glass (except for the hard plastic caps) goes in our recycling bin and all of our paper -- any kind except that with food on it -- goes together in a bag or tied together. In other words, containers of all kinds in the bin and fiber of all kinds in a bag or something. Small household batteries also go in the bin, put into a baggie or something.

We also have some things that don't get picked up, but which can be dropped off at the recycling center -- plastic bags, electronics, larger batteries, etc.

[AngryAmish]

3. Probably not

I don't know where you live, but most places the vast majority of stuff placed in the recycling bin just goes in the landfill. Newspaper, plastics etc. Aluminum, steel gets recycled.

These recycling programs make people feel good. If governmentally run they make work for government employees (better then digging a hole then filling it in) and gives patronage for the politicians. What is more insidious are the "privatized" systems which is a big opportunity for graft.

[Le Taz Hot]

6. Maybe in your area

but not in mine. I KNOW where the recycle goes -- I've actually seen it -- and it's not in the landfill. If that's the case in your area, why? Have you done anything to change this?

[AngryAmish]

8. Around here, it goes to a recycle center, seperated, then the useless stuff goes to the landfill

Why? It is Chicago. But the recycling scam has been going on for a long time.

Why not change? If it was worthwhile then someone would do it. I'm not a garbage expert.

[LeftyMom]

10. In California they do

It's a state requirement that waste management divert an ever-increasing percentage of the waste stream or face fines, and the fines are high enough that effective recycling programs are cheaper.

[Javaman]

4. Pffft! only half? I eat the other half of mine...

then compost my poop for my garden. LOL

It's working out really well, it's just tough digesting the plastic beer rights once in a while. :)

[Le Taz Hot]

5. We're doing pretty well here too.

Our recycle to trash ratio is about 2:1. We make virtually everything from scratch here so we rarely buy prepackaged food or take-out/fast food which translates into far less trash than the average family. We also have 2 big compost bins for veggie/fruit scraps, coffee grounds, newspapers (cut into strips) and egg shells (among other things).

[Bitwit1234]

7. For at least the last five years we have had it here on the Iron Range in MN

One dumpster for paper and boxes, one dumpster for cans , and the main dumpster for regular garbage. This is a small town but very progressive. They are negotiating for natural gas, prepaid....they now pay 7.50 per million (however it is measured). They are about to sign the plan where they pay 50 to 1.00 for the same thing. I guess since it gets so cold, they put the public and their constituents first.

[Raejeanowl]

9. We Recycle And Compost

It's amazing how little is actual "garbage." We have to empty the leftover waste can long before it's actually full to keep things fresh.

And yes, we're one of the lucky ones who live on a recycle route and not far from the center if we miss the pickups.

Now, if I can only get all of the markets to return to offering paper bags, or accustomed to packing my reusable tote bags without pitching minor hissy fits!

[xxqqqzme]

11. Our city finally got w/ the program last spring

Before that we took the stuff ourselves to the recycling center. It's nice to have it picked up. I know I look at how stuff is packaged more closely now. I won't buy anything that I feel is over packaged. I did find drawstring bags(on-line) for produce that now replace the plastic bags store have on rollers.

http://www.ecobags.com/