28th July, 2010 - Posted by carsi - No Comments
As the Statesman reports, a new miniMAX program is being implemented in some state office buildings. This program will replace old trash cans with a large recycling container and a mini trash box hanging on the side (see photo below). The plan is to encourage recycling among state employees. Additionally, employees will be expected to empty their trash/recycling bins into centralized bins in their work areas. The state hopes that this self service approach to trash will increase awareness about what is being thrown out and what is being recycled by each employee. The state is also transitioning to daytime custodial crews. All of this together is expected to save the state more than $1 million a year.
My boyfriend works for a state agency that has implemented the new mini-bins, and he says the bins have an FAQ sheet attached that mention the bins will increase recycling revenue and similar programs have substanially increased recycling in other organizations. However, he has also noticed that people in his office are putting non-recyclables in their recycling containers, since there isn’t much room in the small one-gallon trash bins. The brief FAQ sheet attached to the bins provides some info, but it doesn’t directly explain what should go in each bin. Also, many commenters on the Statesman article are focusing on the “take your own trash out” aspect of the reforms, which is missing the point of trying to increase recycling. This seems like a well-intentioned move by the state, but it won’t be very effective if employees aren’t properly educated about the recycling process.
A new recycling bin with mini trash bin attached
28th July, 2010 - Posted by katherine - No Comments
Starting at 6PM tomorrow, the Wildflower Center will be having its last Nature Night of the summer, “Birds of Prey”. Admission is $1. Here’s the description:
Thursday, July 29: Birds of Prey – soar with us to explore the habits of hawks, eagles, buzzards and more birds of prey. At 7 pm only, don’t miss a flying demonstration provided by Blackland Prairie Raptor Center with their feathered friends in our Courtyard! Stop by the Travis Audubon Society booth for more information on local birding programs. Check out great activities at the Capital Area Master Naturalist booth.
so cute!
photo credit
28th July, 2010 - Posted by katherine - 2 Comments
The Statesman had this article today about Bull Creek Park. Here’s an excerpt about the littering problem:
Statesman Watch spent several hours at the park last weekend… [t]he understaffed Parks and Recreation Department did make it out to empty trash cans, but the rest of the park was strewn with food wrappers, beer bottles and cans, cigarette butts, diapers and even spent charcoal.
On Saturday afternoon, a large family held a birthday party for a child. The next morning, beer cans, candy wrappers and an El Rancho Supermercado plastic bag of trash were left behind. Near the creek, three Budweiser bottles, an empty pack of Kool 100s and orange peelings were left where a trio of men with an ice chest had been the afternoon before.
On weekends, with little or no police presence, park users cart ice chests, grills and picnic tables and set up next to the water. Children swim by. Refuse litters the ground even though trash cans are a few feet away.
The park is located at at RM 2222 and Loop 360.
photo credit