I Recycle

I started recycling about 4 months ago.  My recycle system is quite easy but there are issues that arise that make me second guess the routine.  First off, I take all of the cans and bottles that I have put aside and I rinse them, this can be a grueling process when you have 8 bags.  The main problem at this phase of the process is the stickiness of the the bottles and cans.  After rinsing them all and putting them in the bags you must store them, this can take up a lot of room when you live in an apartment.  Already you have inconvenienced yourself by taking up space.  Then when you have a day off you will load them up in your vehicle and take them down to the recycling center, where you will receive between 5 and 10 cents per item.  Now here is the worst part, once you have arrived at the recycling center, you will see a line of about 5-9 people who have the same idea you do.  What this means is that you must sit there for about 45 minutes while you wait for the people in front of you to wrap it up.  Now the best part, you have arrived at the front of the line, you now will start your 20 minute process of unloading your 8 bags into the machine one item at a time.

After 4 months of doing this I was starting to question the worth of this endeavor.  When it came to the last time I recycled I was dreading making the trip down to the center.  The bags had stacked up, and I just knew that the line was going to be forever long.  As the bags continued to stack day by day I knew I had to make the trip.  Then I told my self don’t focus on the negatives focus on the positives.  You will receive enough money to go into the store and purchase toiletries, and you will be helping the environment.  So I loaded up all of the bags up and went to the center.  Not only was there no line, but I received more money than every before.  The trip ended in a great success and I felt great about what I had done. Even though it may be a pain in the ass, it is still well worth it on all accounts for me.  Would it be worth it for you?