“No can stands alone” is a new mantra that I share with my friends and colleagues. It sounds important. It echoes of independence. It suggests…recycling?
Yes, indeed recycling. “No can stands alone” reminds us that no garbage can should be without its trusty counterpart, the recycle bin.
When a garbage can stands all alone by itself, it still serves its purpose. We will still fill it with waste, rubbish, trash, garbage, and even everything recyclable or compostable because there in not an alternative readily available. But when you place a friendly little recycle buddy next to the garbage can something special happens…synergy.
Synergy is defined as “The interaction of two or more agents or forces so that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects”. Together the two containers serve one greater function, waste reduction.
Waste reduction is an important element in combating environmental concerns such as litter, climate change, conservation, landfill capacity, air and water pollution. By reducing waste we clean up our surroundings and save ourselves and our County money in the process.
A good example for this notion of “No can stands alone” can be found every summer at the annual Music on the Halfshell concert series. Partnering with Douglas County Public Works who offers assistance by providing containers and technical assistance, the Half Shell Committee allows volunteers to manage recycling at the event using this “No can stands alone” concept. By doing so, several tons of material is diverted from the landfill, the City of Roseburg saves staff time by having less waste to haul, there is less litter, and all parties involved, including concert goers, are allowed the opportunity to recycle.
It has been observed that those garbage cans left without a recycling container adjacent to it during the concert, have been found filled with recyclables. Whereas those garbage cans paired with the appropriate recycling container are nearly void of recyclables.
An interesting observation on how to maximize this system of managing waste is that the two cans must be directly adjacent to one another to fully maximize the process. As little as two feet of separation has shown to be a significant barrier to recycling. This system can be employed in public settings as described, but also at home, school, and the workplace.
So remember, a recycle bin by itself can become a garbage can. A garbage can by itself will never recycle. So combine the two for a synergistic approach to waste reduction, conservation, and saving money.
For more information visit us online at http://www.recyclepower.org/ and don’t forget to reduce, reuse, and recycle to “Trash Douglas County Less!”
Photo Credit: City of Chicago, Parks Department
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