Should we fine someone $500 if they don’t recycle?
June 9, 2009 by Jennifer
If you ive in San Francisco the answer would be yes, we should and we will fine someone $500 for not recycling. According to the Times’ Green Inc., “A new mandatory recycling and composting law is poised for approval.” The ordinance, soon to be reviewed by the city’s Board of Supervisors, is going to require that residential and commercial building owners sign up for recycling and composting services or pay up to a $500 fine. Additionally, the ordinance covers punishment for anyone who puts recyclable or compostable material in landfill-bound bins.
San Francisco already covets the highest recycling rate in the nation but city officials think that the city could do better than a 72% recycling rate.
I can see the pros here, I mean, obviously I want people to recycle, but personally, I’m thinking the cons may outweigh the pros of hitting that 75% recycling rate. I’m of the mindset that you can’t force things, green or otherwise on people (barring the serious stuff – yeah, please don’t shoot people). Once you impose fines on recycling what’s next? Fines for not carrying a reusable grocery bag or fines if you can’t afford solar panels on your house? What about fines for feeding your kids non-organics. I mean, it gets pretty sticky.
I also don’t like that recycling is being singled out in this way, as if recycling is the most important green act you could do. It seems to take importance off other issues. Lastly, when green gets pushy, green doesn’t make friends. I’ve seen it a million times. Once green folks say “YOU HAVE TO DO THIS” we loose people in the cause because forcible green is one, not cool, and two, not as effective as people going green on their own.
On the flip side, we do fine folks for things like littering, and not recycling is one of the most littering thing you can do.
I don’t know. My whole deal with green is helping folks to realize that small green steps can build up until you naturally succeeds at a higher level of green living on your own terms. That’s a green lifestyle that lasts. Forcing recycling… it means well, but it may be too much.
What do you think?
[image via stock.xchng]
I think there’s a discernible line between recycling and something like carrying a reusable bag, having solar panels, or feeding your child organic food. If recycling services are provided by the town, then recycling is something that everyone can do easily and free of charge–there’s no cost associated with it. This can’t be said for the other examples, which is why something like mandatory recycled can be imposed but not the other things.
I see your point, but the one deal with recycling is better education. No matter how many posts I write about it, I still get email questions about recycling which to me says it’s not so easy as everyone assumes – if you do it all the time, sure it’s easy, but some people aren’t sure about it. I think we need better public education on the topic if we plan on fining people.
Jennifer,
If I read your perspective correctly (you’re good at giving both sides), then I agree that SanFran residents should not be FORCED to recycle.
I’m a firm believer that government should provide incentives for positive action; not punish. As you said, if you have to do something, it’s not as effective as people doing it willingly.
If I’d have to pay $500 or else, I’d be looking to quickly move out of the city.
Take care,
-Mike
@Mike – excellent point, I agree that rewards work better than punishment. You can’t force green, it just doesn’t work well.
I agree that forcing people to go green leaves a bad taste in their mouths. From what I understand, the SF law would say that residents and business would be fined $500 if they don’t sign up for the recycling services. You may also get a fine if you put something in the wrong bin. Assuming that the fines for putting stuff in the wrong bin would be for frequent and obvious offenders and in small amounts, the law seems to me to be making more of a statement than forcing anything (again, assuming they won’t be policing your trash once you’ve signed up for services). It’s as if the SF government wants to let its residents know that it’s serious about being green and if you’re going to live there, they expect you to be too.
I do think that a better way to stir this kind of passion about a town project, such as recycling, is to educate people, as Jennifer suggested, and get them involved in the project as a community. (Now SF may have these programs in place, so I’m not speaking just about their town.) This kind of program can be more effective in encouraging people to WANT to be green and develop, as Jennifer put it, “green living on your own terms.” Committing to green living starts with the spark of something inside that calls you to caring for your planet and its residents. Creating ways for people to feel that spark through experience and education seems more effective to me then making a law.
Hi Jennifer,
I think you must have seen an old copy of the ordinance, because the one that was passed by the Board of Supervisors, says “No fines are specified in the ordinance, but there is a cap of $100 established for residents and businesses that generate less than one cubic yard of refuse per week…” This is a quote from a press release from the San Francisco mayor’s office.
I don’t know what a cap of $100 or much of anyhting else they are talking about, but I plan to give them a call either tomorrow or Monday to find out because I want to write a story about this for my own blog.
I’ll let you know what I find out.