Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Westchester County says, "recycle or else!"

Westchester County, an affluent New York suburb, has had enough with residents who don't recycle. Starting this week, those who do not put recyclables in the proper bins will receive a yellow "oops" sticker on their garbage can. If the offending parties don't change their ways, a red sticker will be issued for a second offense and their garbage will not be picked up.

The idea is interesting. The stickers not only chastise the recycling offender directly but there is also an element of peer pressure and public shaming that goes into play. I assume that in order to issue the proper sticker, there will be some dumpster diving involved by the trash collection service which doesn't break any laws but who wants their trash rifled through?

Do you think that Westchester is on the right track or is there a better way to get your neighbors to recycle?
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