It’s 2008, all right.  How are you doing on your New Year’s resolutions?!  The estimates are that most (whatever that means), or at least a lot of us, make those new or old promises to ourselves about things we are going to do better or finally get done.  For many, it’s just a fun exercise with our family or friends to joke about.  However, resolutions like: lose weight, get more exercise, plan and eat more nutritious meals, can improve one’s health.  And planning activities with family members can be a New Year’s resolution making life more meaningful.  If we do make these resolutions, why do they not last to completion?  It’s call commitment, isn’t it?  Well, let me ask that you consider a 2008 resolution (a commitment)… more RECYLCLING. 

First, let me say congratulations to all.  Your City, because of your efforts, does recycling now.  And because you are doing so now, this will be an easy resolution to meet. 

Look at what can (goes) into the recycle bin: 

Commingled Containers:           

            Aluminum cans, trays & foil (trays & foil must be cleaned).

            Aseptic packaging & gable top containers (milk & juice cartons).

            Steel cans and tins.

            PET soda, water & flavored beverage bottles (#1 clear and green plastic resin).

            HDPE milk & juice jugs (#2 clear plastic resin).

            HDPE detergent & fabric softener containers (32 colored plastic resin).

PVC narrow neck containers only (#3 plastic resin), such as health & beauty aid products, household cleaners.

LDPE grocery containers (#4 plastic resin); such as margarine tubs, frozen desert cups, six and twelve pack rings.

PP grocery containers (#5 plastic resin), such as yogurt cups and narrow neck syrup and ketchup bottles.

            #7 plastic resin, Narrow neck containers only.

            Plastic buckets, such as kitty litter containers (5 gallon size maximum).

            Glass bottles and jars (clear, brown and green): no window glass, dinnerware or ceramics.

Newspaper, including inserts (remove plastic sleeves)

Cardboard (no waxed cardboard)

Kraft (brown paper) bags

Magazines, catalogs and telephone books

Office, computer, notebook & gift-wrap paper (no metal clips, spirals, binders)

Chipboard (cereal, cake & food mix boxes, gift boxes, etc.)

Carrier stock (soda & beer can carrying cases)

Junk mail & envelopes (no plastic cards, stick on labels or unused stamps)

Paperback books (no hard cover books) 

            Notes:

1.      No motor oil, insecticide, herbicide or hazardous chemical containers.

2.      Plastic bags should be returned to grocery or department stores.

3.      No plastic film (no plastic sheets, tarps or wrap).

4.      No expanded foam (Styrofoam) or clear polystyrene per US Environmental Protection Agency. 

Think about it – if we recycle all of the above, the trash going into landfills is less, considerably less.  And what’s one of our big environmental problems – no more room for landfills.  Recycling helps with the environmental problem and it saves money.  You may be aware, or my may not, the City’s biggest expenses are police protection and sanitation services. 

Police protection is 37% of our projected expenses for July 2006-2007.  And that’s after our change to the St. Louis County Police, a substantial savings from our Ballwin bid.  The sanitation contract for this same fiscal year is also substantially lower than the bid from our previous hauler.  Even so, this contract will be another 37% of our projected expenses.  With our approximately 75% of expenses committed, it’s difficult to find ways to save additional dollars.  But recycling is a way to make dollar savings in the near future – like next year.  This is not to ignore other recycling benefits: conserves natural resources (timber and water), saves energy, provides raw materials for manufacturing and helps create jobs.  How about it, committed yet? 

It just makes good environmental and economic sense.  How about adding another New Year’s resolution.  It’s not too late – RECYCLE.