Trash the Bag

The Blue Bag program, Chicago's citywide recycling initiative, is one of the least effective recycling programs in the country. In spite of ten years of operation, 90 percent of Chicago's residential waste goes to landfills and only10 percent is recycled.

Yet last week, Mayor Daley announced he would continue Chicago's blue bag program for another two years even though there are more effective programs to encourage recycling.

Ask Mayor Daley to improve recycling and reduce pollution and waste by dumping the blue bag and implementing a responsible multi-bin recycling program in Chicago.

Multi-bins are definitely the way to go. In Madrid, neighborhoods have three bins - one for glass, one for paper, and one for metals and plastics. Everyone sorts their garbage and even though the recycling dumpsters may be a little further away than their regular dumpster, people walk the 100 feet or so. I stop by the bins on my way to work early in the morning, which is apparently when all of the little old ladies like to do their recycling. And it´s inspiring to see that even the neighborhood businesses recycle their trash. So if the Spaniards can do it, and do it well, so can the rest of the world.

Tell Daley to TRASH THE BAG and give bins a chance.

Source: Illinois PIRG