Your Recycler Is Your Friend
Ever since we started recycling garbage in earnest, we've needed people who would actually take care of the recyclable stuff for us.
The garbage man has, for those of us in towns, cities, and large metropolii, always been there for as long as we care to remember.
Not so, the recycler. He (or she) is a relative newcomer.
Today, January 8, is the day designated for getting to know your recycler better by taking him (or her) out to lunch.
I'm not sure if the same person runs the same route every (other) week where you live, so you may have a choice amongst recyclers in your area. A simple call to the recycling center should straighten that out for you.
The real question here is this: Where should you take your recycler for lunch?
Do you choose a place where you're not likely to have much recyclable material at the end of the meal? Such a diner would make the recycler's job easier.
Or do you pick an establishment known for giving you lots of extra papers, plastics, and glass? Recycling these items keeps the recycler is business.
At the end of the day (er, lunch hour), it maybe doesn't matter all that much because whatever you do will be offset by whatever someone else is doing, or not doing, recycle-wise. Do as your conscience directs you.
Taking your recycler out to lunch does not obligate you to give him (or her) something at Christmas time. If you already do that, good on you. You probably already know your recycler by name and will have little trouble taking it to the next level by going out to lunch together.
Bon Appétit!