tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-303616362929302466.post8881232033096672113..comments2024-03-28T19:42:22.044-04:00Comments on Trashpaddler: Assabet River - Hudson Mill Pond to BerlinAlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10069551145364947240noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-303616362929302466.post-32141482533568064882011-06-11T09:05:25.203-04:002011-06-11T09:05:25.203-04:00First, wow. You've pulled out 15,000 pieces of...First, wow. You've pulled out 15,000 pieces of trash by yourself, that's amazing, and appreciated!<br /><br />Second, that's very interesting that the nonredeemables are coming out at twice the rate of the redeemables, and that the rates are so consistent. It certainly seems that when we put a value on something, it's littered less. I wish the large corps didn't fight bottle bills so vehemently, and I wish the legislatures didn't side with the large corps so much. Perhaps they need to take a ride down the Sudbury & Assabet Rivers with you?<br /><br />Sadly, I haven't been comparing redeemables to non yet on my beach. The number of intact bottles left behind at all is low. Most of the food plastics I find are cups, forks/spoons, bottle caps, wrappers. But just from observing the number of folks who roam the streets looking for redeemables throughout Maine, it's clear that putting a value on them is keeping them out of gutters and parks, etc.<br /><br />Thanks again, really glad I found your blog.Harryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13432284983902312892noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-303616362929302466.post-16648876766515992032011-06-08T10:03:49.480-04:002011-06-08T10:03:49.480-04:00Harry, I started categorizing trash into 3 types ...Harry, I started categorizing trash into 3 types at the beginning of 2009. <br />The categories are: recyclable containers that aren't redeemable, recyclable containers that are redeemable, and miscellaneous rubbish.<br /><br />Out of the 15,000 pieces of trash recovered since that point the breakdown by percentage is as follows: <br />Recyclable containers that aren't redeemable = 30%;<br />Recyclable containers that are redeemable = 16%; <br />Miscellaneous rubbish = 54%<br /><br />As I have gone along, I've discovered that many containers which were redeemable when manufactured are no longer redeemable due to having been altered or having lost their identifying wrapper. These containers now go into the recyclable but not redeemable category. Thus my redeemable counts have been decreasing over time.<br /><br />When gathering this data I was struck by how consistent the 2011 figures are for the two rivers I most often patrol.<br />Since 1/1/2011, 16 patrols on the Sudbury and Assabet Rivers have netted the following:<br />Recyclable containers that aren't redeemable:<br />Sudbury = 35%, Assabet = 34%<br /><br />Recyclable containers that are redeemable:<br />Sudbury = 10%, Assabet = 9%<br /><br />Miscellaneous rubbish: <br />Sudbury = 55%, Assabet = 57%<br /> <br />(Total trash counts were 590 for the Sudbury and 613 for the Assabet)<br /><br />I believe these recent figures are the most accurate in reflecting what percentage of containers are actually redeemable verus those that are not.<br /><br />How do my numbers compare with what you've been finding?Alhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10069551145364947240noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-303616362929302466.post-667082910070087842011-06-07T21:24:06.407-04:002011-06-07T21:24:06.407-04:00Are you by chance keeping a tally of the breakdown...Are you by chance keeping a tally of the breakdown between redeemable & non-redeemable recyclables overall? There's a growing buzz all over (even with some friends in Australia) that putting a value on glass/plastic will help keep it out of the environment. It seems to make sense, just wondered if you've got hard numbers on it?Harryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13432284983902312892noreply@blogger.com