MSU Recycling: See “Just How Bad” People Are Messing This Up

When Did I Become The Recycling Guy?

I was never really "that" guy. Recycling was too much of an effort for me. Plus they didn't have recycling bins where I used to live, I'm not going to wash and separate bottles, then place them in a container, then take them to the recycling center.

But then I visited my friend Kristen's house and they were doing it. I asked some questions and she pretty much told me and showed me it was a pretty easy step to take and do my part.

Fine.

I mean I was drinking more water from water bottles and I was just throwing them away. I could just get a bin and keep them in there. And find out where in East Lansing this MSU Recycling center was.

So I did it.

I started taking my empty water bottles and such over to the center and doing my part. I separated, I bagged, I made a trip. I was converted. At least for the plastics and water bottles. I was going to do my part to reduce my carbon footprint.

Honestly, it wasn't that hard and if I can do it, anyone can.

So When Did I Become Captain Planet?

I get it. The pandemic happened. The recycling center and their hours have changed. You have to make more of an effort to drop off stuff weekdays before 3 pm (M, Tu, Th, Fri 9 a to 3 pm / Wed 9 am to 5:30 pm).

And they've modified their list of stuff they will accept. They scaled things back and stopped taking all plastics because of hand sorting, reduced staffing, and keeping what little staff they have safe.

CLICK HERE FOR A PRINTABLE GUIDE.

But what's bothering this new eco warrior is the following. Why can't folks read and follow directions?

Let's start here.

There's the accepted and unaccepted list. Here's the NOT ACCEPTED part a little bit bigger. Catch the part where it says grocery bags, litter buckets, and clamshells. Even cloudy milk jugs (because they go somewhere else).

How is it you've spent the time to separate your bottles to bring back to the recycle center and NOT READ AND PAY ATTENTION TO WHERE YOU SHOULD PUT THEM and see what's not acceptable where.?

Cause this drives me crazy. It looks like a garbage dump. And there are those grocery bags...

They said no clamshells and here they are.

More grocery and garbage bags. You're not too lazy to recycle but you are too lazy to read and follow directions?

More garbage bags and milk jugs.

I don't get it because the instructions are there. With pictures.

And that's where these go.

How are you going to be pro planet and recycle but once you get here you forget how to read and get too lazy to do it right?

When did I become this guy?

And more importantly, WE HAVE GOT TO DO BETTER.

They already said they were short staffed so now we're creating more work for folks who aren't there.

Maybe that's why we've got reduced hours here.

Think about it people.

And clean up your act. Read and put stuff where it belongs.

Pretty please.