Recycling - start up

I wish you all the luck!
In Ct, HI, OR, and ME there is a $.05 deposit on all plastic water bottles. Not sue about other plastic bottles. The bottle also says that in CA there is a cash refund.
You might approach it that way, get the senate to impose a refundable deposit on all plastic containers. Maybe if you let them skim off the top they would pass it.

That is certainly one way to approach it but the problem remains we have no option for recycling them.

Pamela

Great idea!
If it was worthwhile to have the VI detoxify the junked cars, you know this is a no brainier regarding the health(& possible EPA fines)of the land fill.

Try to keep the not for profit on this.
My guess, the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority will put their meat hooks in this 'trying to serve us"
These are the same people who tried to charge us a per pound fee for EVERYTHING.
I remember it was suggested that water @ aprox 8 lbs./gal have these fees as well even though you would likely Pee that out into your own leach field, or already be paying them for sewage fees !

Good thing our governor told them no way!

Personally I think the answer lies on the back end -- What will we be doing with a 40' container of palletized plastic and how clean is it. If it costs money to get rid of it -- then we need a grant for that much$ to start + whatever it costs to fill that container in labor and expenses.

All no Brainer ideas will be accepted -- does anyone read this stuff and laugh at the level of replies??

Exit Zero,

thanks - that is a start!

Pamela

Pamela, I'm on STX but maybe you could hookup with www.usvircd.org/RAVI/STXGoingGreen.htm.. They partnered with the boys and girls club.They just got a bailer and are recycling steel and aluminum .Cost u less over here accepts cardboard. Good luck and positive vibes for STT

I was told years ago Devcon -[ now maybe ST Thomas heavy materials?] - would take all our glass - run it through the rock crusher and integrate into their products. People would throw trash in the dumpster labeled GLASS ONLY so they stopped.

I would be more than willing to try again but several years ago I went to the DWP with an idea to shred tires and use them for mulch but it when no were. Now they are shipping them off at a cost to the tax payers.

The problem in STT is that with the dumpsters there is no avenue to recycle. If we could get the government to man the dumpsters and make it mandatory that we at least recycle the Al,. And there are machines that take all plastic and metal and separate them out. But there is n o interest here. And you need to get a buyer for the stuff. They would need to fine people after a warning period. They don't even fine people for riding in the back of pick ups which has caused more deaths than not having seat belts so it will never happen with waste.

So I have given up. We recycle the AL and give it to the high school.

Billd

I would be more than willing to try again but several years ago I went to the DWP with an idea to shred tires and use them for mulch but it when no were. Now they are shipping them off at a cost to the tax payers.

In AZ they shred the old tires and glass and use them in the asphalt roads. The roads last longer and are quieter!

 

VI RC&D and Waste Management started RAVI (Recycling of the Virgin Islands) on all three islands as a non profit group. St. John was recycling before these groups started up in 2007. In 2008 the group on STT wanted to go their own way and departed from VI RC&D and since have failed.

We have received a grant over here on STX for an aluminum bailer but we are stuck waiting for the contractor for the government to finish the job in front of the Boys and Girls club. Just a 2 hour job to finish the swail (driveway)

Once we get that job done we have a contractor who will start recycling cans for our first phase. Cans will be crushed and bailed to go on a container to be taken to the stateside.

Second phase will be a glass pulverizer. With that in place (maybe in 2011) we will be able to use all the glass in construction. Nothing will be taken off island.