It really shouldn't bother me

[fancytalk]

It is approximately 6:30 p.m. here. I literally just put out two bags of recycling for tomorrow morning. I went inside to get the rest of the garbage and *poof* the bag with the plastic and metal is gone. I have been fighting the case of the mysteriously disappearing recycle bags for months. It bothers me because I know my recycling keeps my property taxes down. Since I pay almost $10,000 in frickin' property tax each year, I would like to keep them as low as possible. OK, yeah, I could move somewhere that houses and property tax weren't so ridiculously high, but I live here now. This stealing of the recycling probably wouldn't bother me if it was one of the many homeless people that walk by everyday. No, this is not. This is a couple who drive up and down the block every week and take ALL of the recycling that has been put out. They come around the evening before and come back 6:30-ish in the morning after the garbage people have come by. I know they are collecting to take everything to the recycle place and get cash. I could do that too. It just seems unfair to load up their huge truck and redeem bottles and cans for cash. It would take me months before I had enough to make the trip worthwhile. Lately, I've taken to camping on the front porch on Fridays waiting for the recycling truck. That's really petty of me. I didn't want to it tomorrow. Apparently they made two rounds tonight. That's fine, I still have a bag of the really good stuff waiting for tomorrow morning.

Comments

[yarbiedoll.livejournal.com]

How ridiculously frustrating annoying. You have better things to do with your time than sit on the porch and guard your recycling. If that were my porch, I'd be sitting on it, too. You have my sympathies.

[curefreak.livejournal.com]

I'm unfamiliar with the laws where you are, but it may pay to look into this.

Here we have "Hard rubbish" collection every 6 months or so. People go around taking stuff etc. Now, apparently it is illegal and as soon as it is put near the kerb it becomes council property. If you call the police they can arrest the people.

Perhaps find out if it is the same where you are.

[yesimthegirl.livejournal.com]

I was just commenting earlier that I have an article about Berkeley and recycling which I believe has a little statement that recycling becomes city property once set out. I'm going to have to make a few phone calls today because apparently my "please don't take my recycling" speech doesn't work. OK, really it's the "leave my fucking recyling alone" speech, but I did try to be nice in the beginning.

[tearsonthecheek.livejournal.com]

Thats just ignorant. I think the couple nickng the recycling are way out of order.

Wait untill they start to do their illigal 'collections' steal their car, take it to the scrap heap/ metal recycling section and sell it.

Return home and with the proceeds hold a party for all the nighbours that have had their recyclining illigally taken over the weeks.

[yesimthegirl.livejournal.com]

Thank you tearsonthecheek. My S.O. laughed at me for being out of sorts about it. I'd make out really well if I could steal their car. The funny part is that he drives slowly down the street while she walks beside it putting recycling in the back.

[fitfool.livejournal.com]

In what way does your recycling keep your property taxes down? Do they track how many bags of recycling you set out and lower your property taxes accordingly?

[yesimthegirl.livejournal.com]

No. Somewhere I have an article about this. Berkeley basically does what this couple is doing by collecting and exchanging for money. The money goes back into the city coffers most of it earmarked to fund the city's garbage and recycling program. Less recycling for the city, means less money going back in and what I pay for garbage/recycle collecton goes up. It wouldn't make a difference if the recycling the couple collected went back into the Berkeley system, but it doesn't.

[fitfool.livejournal.com]

Ah ok...I see your frustration now. Otherwise I was confused...who cares if the money goes to a homeless person or the couple in the truck?