Is America the greatest country in the world?

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  • HughFreakingDillon
    HughFreakingDillon Winnipeg Posts: 39,473
    PJ_Soul said:
    What I think is a much worse problem is the recycling industry in North America. SO much of the stuff we recycle doesn't actually get recycled just because the recycling centers don't have anywhere near the capacity that is required to handle it all. There is probably a 50/50 chance that what you're recycling is going to end up in a landfill anyhow. So really THAT has to be addressed and fixed first and foremost, not consumer habits. Also, there absolutely needs to be legislation when it comes to manufacturer packaging. It should be the law that ALL packaging has to be recyclable. But again, that will only be useful if the recycling industry goes through an honest to god revolution.
    a guy I work with who was once a garbageman told me that 90% of all recycling gets in the landfill. that was probably 10 years ago, but I don't doubt it. just in the last couple years winnipeg has been sending out awareness campaigns on what can/can't be recycled. it boggles my mind that people actually toss used clothing (and other non-recyclables) in their recycling bins at such a rate that they had to spell that out on ads on the sides of buses. people are so fucking stupid. 

    it's also partly the waste departments poor communication on what is and what isn't recyclable. a while back, they told everyone "don't rinse out your cans! it's a waste of water". now it's "rinse out your cans or it contaminates the recyclables making them waste!". get it together. we need clear messaging and what those symbols on the bottom of starbucks cups and shit mean. one day it was "it has to be a #4 to go in the bin" then it was "the number doesn't matter!" and I think it changed again. 

    it's really confusing and turns people off trying to be responsible. 
    By The Time They Figure Out What Went Wrong, We'll Be Sitting On A Beach, Earning Twenty Percent.




  • oftenreading
    oftenreading Victoria, BC Posts: 12,856
    HughFreakingDillon said:
    PJ_Soul said:
    What I think is a much worse problem is the recycling industry in North America. SO much of the stuff we recycle doesn't actually get recycled just because the recycling centers don't have anywhere near the capacity that is required to handle it all. There is probably a 50/50 chance that what you're recycling is going to end up in a landfill anyhow. So really THAT has to be addressed and fixed first and foremost, not consumer habits. Also, there absolutely needs to be legislation when it comes to manufacturer packaging. It should be the law that ALL packaging has to be recyclable. But again, that will only be useful if the recycling industry goes through an honest to god revolution.
    a guy I work with who was once a garbageman told me that 90% of all recycling gets in the landfill. that was probably 10 years ago, but I don't doubt it. just in the last couple years winnipeg has been sending out awareness campaigns on what can/can't be recycled. it boggles my mind that people actually toss used clothing (and other non-recyclables) in their recycling bins at such a rate that they had to spell that out on ads on the sides of buses. people are so fucking stupid. 

    it's also partly the waste departments poor communication on what is and what isn't recyclable. a while back, they told everyone "don't rinse out your cans! it's a waste of water". now it's "rinse out your cans or it contaminates the recyclables making them waste!". get it together. we need clear messaging and what those symbols on the bottom of starbucks cups and shit mean. one day it was "it has to be a #4 to go in the bin" then it was "the number doesn't matter!" and I think it changed again. 

    it's really confusing and turns people off trying to be responsible. 

    And with China turning away N American recyclables, more and more is just going back into the waste stream.

    We've got to focus on the first two Rs.
    my small self... like a book amongst the many on a shelf
  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,662
    HughFreakingDillon said:
    PJ_Soul said:
    What I think is a much worse problem is the recycling industry in North America. SO much of the stuff we recycle doesn't actually get recycled just because the recycling centers don't have anywhere near the capacity that is required to handle it all. There is probably a 50/50 chance that what you're recycling is going to end up in a landfill anyhow. So really THAT has to be addressed and fixed first and foremost, not consumer habits. Also, there absolutely needs to be legislation when it comes to manufacturer packaging. It should be the law that ALL packaging has to be recyclable. But again, that will only be useful if the recycling industry goes through an honest to god revolution.
    a guy I work with who was once a garbageman told me that 90% of all recycling gets in the landfill. that was probably 10 years ago, but I don't doubt it. just in the last couple years winnipeg has been sending out awareness campaigns on what can/can't be recycled. it boggles my mind that people actually toss used clothing (and other non-recyclables) in their recycling bins at such a rate that they had to spell that out on ads on the sides of buses. people are so fucking stupid. 

    it's also partly the waste departments poor communication on what is and what isn't recyclable. a while back, they told everyone "don't rinse out your cans! it's a waste of water". now it's "rinse out your cans or it contaminates the recyclables making them waste!". get it together. we need clear messaging and what those symbols on the bottom of starbucks cups and shit mean. one day it was "it has to be a #4 to go in the bin" then it was "the number doesn't matter!" and I think it changed again. 

    it's really confusing and turns people off trying to be responsible. 
    What really gets me is seeing people toss aluminum cans and/ or glass bottles in the trash.    If they get tossed in the recycle bin they may not get recycled but at least they have a chance and it's so easy to do.  I can't imagine tossing glass or aluminum in the trash.  Blows my mind.

    Apparently "single-stream" recycling is a major culprit for why more stuff is supposedly being "recycled" and why less stuff actually is getting recycled:


    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • PJ_Soul
    PJ_Soul Vancouver, BC Posts: 50,668
    edited March 2019
    brianlux said:
    HughFreakingDillon said:
    PJ_Soul said:
    What I think is a much worse problem is the recycling industry in North America. SO much of the stuff we recycle doesn't actually get recycled just because the recycling centers don't have anywhere near the capacity that is required to handle it all. There is probably a 50/50 chance that what you're recycling is going to end up in a landfill anyhow. So really THAT has to be addressed and fixed first and foremost, not consumer habits. Also, there absolutely needs to be legislation when it comes to manufacturer packaging. It should be the law that ALL packaging has to be recyclable. But again, that will only be useful if the recycling industry goes through an honest to god revolution.
    a guy I work with who was once a garbageman told me that 90% of all recycling gets in the landfill. that was probably 10 years ago, but I don't doubt it. just in the last couple years winnipeg has been sending out awareness campaigns on what can/can't be recycled. it boggles my mind that people actually toss used clothing (and other non-recyclables) in their recycling bins at such a rate that they had to spell that out on ads on the sides of buses. people are so fucking stupid. 

    it's also partly the waste departments poor communication on what is and what isn't recyclable. a while back, they told everyone "don't rinse out your cans! it's a waste of water". now it's "rinse out your cans or it contaminates the recyclables making them waste!". get it together. we need clear messaging and what those symbols on the bottom of starbucks cups and shit mean. one day it was "it has to be a #4 to go in the bin" then it was "the number doesn't matter!" and I think it changed again. 

    it's really confusing and turns people off trying to be responsible. 
    What really gets me is seeing people toss aluminum cans and/ or glass bottles in the trash.    If they get tossed in the recycle bin they may not get recycled but at least they have a chance and it's so easy to do.  I can't imagine tossing glass or aluminum in the trash.  Blows my mind.

    Apparently "single-stream" recycling is a major culprit for why more stuff is supposedly being "recycled" and why less stuff actually is getting recycled:


    I never see that anymore. But most public trash cans here now have this ledge that you place the cans and bottles in - they're usually picked up by panhandlers then. If they don't have one of those, people normally leave bottles or cans on top of it or at the base of it. We all know in Vancouver that someone will be along right away to pick them up and take them to a return-it depot!
    At work - campus wide - they removed all regular wastebaskets from workspaces, and now have these things where it's just a recycling bin for paper, with a tiny black garbage pail hooked to the side of it. They're meant to deter people from ever throwing any food scraps in the garbage or anything. Since they only empty these tiny little pails once a week at most now, people can't put anything that would rot in there, or much of anything else because of the size. People are expected to carry anything organic to these central recycling and composting stations that we have in each department. I know a lot of people were pissed about these things, but they certainly work. It's a good example of forcing change.
    Post edited by PJ_Soul on
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • oftenreading
    oftenreading Victoria, BC Posts: 12,856
    PJ_Soul said:
    brianlux said:
    HughFreakingDillon said:
    PJ_Soul said:
    What I think is a much worse problem is the recycling industry in North America. SO much of the stuff we recycle doesn't actually get recycled just because the recycling centers don't have anywhere near the capacity that is required to handle it all. There is probably a 50/50 chance that what you're recycling is going to end up in a landfill anyhow. So really THAT has to be addressed and fixed first and foremost, not consumer habits. Also, there absolutely needs to be legislation when it comes to manufacturer packaging. It should be the law that ALL packaging has to be recyclable. But again, that will only be useful if the recycling industry goes through an honest to god revolution.
    a guy I work with who was once a garbageman told me that 90% of all recycling gets in the landfill. that was probably 10 years ago, but I don't doubt it. just in the last couple years winnipeg has been sending out awareness campaigns on what can/can't be recycled. it boggles my mind that people actually toss used clothing (and other non-recyclables) in their recycling bins at such a rate that they had to spell that out on ads on the sides of buses. people are so fucking stupid. 

    it's also partly the waste departments poor communication on what is and what isn't recyclable. a while back, they told everyone "don't rinse out your cans! it's a waste of water". now it's "rinse out your cans or it contaminates the recyclables making them waste!". get it together. we need clear messaging and what those symbols on the bottom of starbucks cups and shit mean. one day it was "it has to be a #4 to go in the bin" then it was "the number doesn't matter!" and I think it changed again. 

    it's really confusing and turns people off trying to be responsible. 
    What really gets me is seeing people toss aluminum cans and/ or glass bottles in the trash.    If they get tossed in the recycle bin they may not get recycled but at least they have a chance and it's so easy to do.  I can't imagine tossing glass or aluminum in the trash.  Blows my mind.

    Apparently "single-stream" recycling is a major culprit for why more stuff is supposedly being "recycled" and why less stuff actually is getting recycled:


    I never see that anymore. But most public trash cans here now have this ledge that you place the cans and bottles in - they're usually picked up by panhandlers then. If they don't have one of those, people normally leave bottles or cans on top of it or at the base of it. We all know in Vancouver that someone will be along right away to pick them up and take them to a return-it depot!
    At work - campus wide - they removed all regular wastebaskets from workspaces, and now have these things where it's just a recycling bin for paper, with a tiny black garbage pail hooked to the side of it. They're meant to deter people from ever throwing any food scraps in the garbage or anything. Since they only empty these tiny little pails once a week at most now, people can't put anything that would rot in there, or much of anything else because of the size. People are expected to carry anything organic to these central recycling and composting stations that we have in each department. I know a lot of people were pissed about these things, but they certainly work. It's a good example of forcing change.

    I would be surprised if a single aluminum can makes it through to the landfill where I live. Yes, some people leave them out for people to collect, but binners still dig through all the trash cans and bins. People do this for hours a day, day after day. Most things with some immediate value get taken.
    my small self... like a book amongst the many on a shelf
  • PJ_Soul
    PJ_Soul Vancouver, BC Posts: 50,668
    edited March 2019
    oftenreading said:
    PJ_Soul said:
    brianlux said:
    HughFreakingDillon said:
    PJ_Soul said:
    What I think is a much worse problem is the recycling industry in North America. SO much of the stuff we recycle doesn't actually get recycled just because the recycling centers don't have anywhere near the capacity that is required to handle it all. There is probably a 50/50 chance that what you're recycling is going to end up in a landfill anyhow. So really THAT has to be addressed and fixed first and foremost, not consumer habits. Also, there absolutely needs to be legislation when it comes to manufacturer packaging. It should be the law that ALL packaging has to be recyclable. But again, that will only be useful if the recycling industry goes through an honest to god revolution.
    a guy I work with who was once a garbageman told me that 90% of all recycling gets in the landfill. that was probably 10 years ago, but I don't doubt it. just in the last couple years winnipeg has been sending out awareness campaigns on what can/can't be recycled. it boggles my mind that people actually toss used clothing (and other non-recyclables) in their recycling bins at such a rate that they had to spell that out on ads on the sides of buses. people are so fucking stupid. 

    it's also partly the waste departments poor communication on what is and what isn't recyclable. a while back, they told everyone "don't rinse out your cans! it's a waste of water". now it's "rinse out your cans or it contaminates the recyclables making them waste!". get it together. we need clear messaging and what those symbols on the bottom of starbucks cups and shit mean. one day it was "it has to be a #4 to go in the bin" then it was "the number doesn't matter!" and I think it changed again. 

    it's really confusing and turns people off trying to be responsible. 
    What really gets me is seeing people toss aluminum cans and/ or glass bottles in the trash.    If they get tossed in the recycle bin they may not get recycled but at least they have a chance and it's so easy to do.  I can't imagine tossing glass or aluminum in the trash.  Blows my mind.

    Apparently "single-stream" recycling is a major culprit for why more stuff is supposedly being "recycled" and why less stuff actually is getting recycled:


    I never see that anymore. But most public trash cans here now have this ledge that you place the cans and bottles in - they're usually picked up by panhandlers then. If they don't have one of those, people normally leave bottles or cans on top of it or at the base of it. We all know in Vancouver that someone will be along right away to pick them up and take them to a return-it depot!
    At work - campus wide - they removed all regular wastebaskets from workspaces, and now have these things where it's just a recycling bin for paper, with a tiny black garbage pail hooked to the side of it. They're meant to deter people from ever throwing any food scraps in the garbage or anything. Since they only empty these tiny little pails once a week at most now, people can't put anything that would rot in there, or much of anything else because of the size. People are expected to carry anything organic to these central recycling and composting stations that we have in each department. I know a lot of people were pissed about these things, but they certainly work. It's a good example of forcing change.

    I would be surprised if a single aluminum can makes it through to the landfill where I live. Yes, some people leave them out for people to collect, but binners still dig through all the trash cans and bins. People do this for hours a day, day after day. Most things with some immediate value get taken.
    Yeah, for sure. I agree that nothing that you can get any money out of is ending up in landfills here.

    I do have a huge complaint about recycling habits of individuals where I live though. I think most people are at least recycling paper, cardboard, and containers, because those big blue bins are right there, and even easier than taking anything to the garbage bins. But FFS, almost everyone puts plastic bags full of their cans and bottles into the bins instead of emptying them in there. I've read that they won't even open these bags, so actually almost all of my building's recycling apparently gets trashed at the recycling centre anyhow! And the thing is, nobody knows it. I'm sure that if there was a communications/education campaign about things like this, people would totally make changes. So really a LOT of responsibility here lies with the local governments. They should be FULLY informing people about details like this. Most people just don't know any better. Same when it comes to what you can't recycle (black plastic for example), and the fact that you actually MUST clean your recyclables, that plastic coated or shiny cardboard (which should be illegal in packaging anyhow, excluding liquid products) should not go in the cardboard bins, etc etc. The majority just has no clue what is right or wrong.
    Post edited by PJ_Soul on
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • Meltdown99
    Meltdown99 None Of Your Business... Posts: 10,739
    North America outsources everything, jobs and our garbage.  I remember Toronto at one time was shipping their garbage to Michigan...
    Give Peas A Chance…
  • Spiritual_Chaos
    Spiritual_Chaos Posts: 31,471
    my2hands said:
    To answer the question originally posed...

    America is absolutely the greatest country on planet earth
    Yes ofc.
    "Mostly I think that people react sensitively because they know you’ve got a point"
  • josevolution
    josevolution Posts: 31,604
    https://apple.news/A-kAHofSDTPaOxPE50q0K3Q
    Food for thought 
    jesus greets me looks just like me ....
  • Lerxst1992
    Lerxst1992 Posts: 7,879
    Spiritual_Chaos said:
    my2hands said:
    To answer the question originally posed...

    America is absolutely the greatest country on planet earth
    Yes ofc.

    Is that sarcasm?

    IMO too many guns and fake worship.
  • cincybearcat
    cincybearcat Posts: 16,836
    Lerxst1992 said:
    Spiritual_Chaos said:
    my2hands said:
    To answer the question originally posed...

    America is absolutely the greatest country on planet earth
    Yes ofc.

    Is that sarcasm?

    IMO too many guns and fake worship.
    You must not have read much of this thread.
    hippiemom = goodness
  • Spiritual_Chaos
    Spiritual_Chaos Posts: 31,471
    edited March 2019
    Nikki Haley is like some of you "living-in-a-bubble-of-nationalism-bald-eagles-and-lies"-people in here. Isn't that swell:




    Post edited by Spiritual_Chaos on
    "Mostly I think that people react sensitively because they know you’ve got a point"
  • rustneversleeps
    rustneversleeps The Motel of Lost Companions Posts: 2,209
    is canada the greatest country in the world? OH CANADA
  • Thirty Bills Unpaid
    Thirty Bills Unpaid Posts: 16,881
    rustneversleeps said:
    is canada the greatest country in the world? OH CANADA
    If we had a public education system that produced people capable of posting grammatically flawed and kinda weird posts like this... I’d say, “Not a chance.”
    "My brain's a good brain!"
  • rustneversleeps
    rustneversleeps The Motel of Lost Companions Posts: 2,209
    Thirty Bills Unpaid said:
    rustneversleeps said:
    is canada the greatest country in the world? OH CANADA
    If we had a public education system that produced people capable of posting grammatically flawed and kinda weird posts like this... I’d say, “Not a chance.”
    so you're the best. 
  • Thirty Bills Unpaid
    Thirty Bills Unpaid Posts: 16,881
    rustneversleeps said:
    Thirty Bills Unpaid said:
    rustneversleeps said:
    is canada the greatest country in the world? OH CANADA
    If we had a public education system that produced people capable of posting grammatically flawed and kinda weird posts like this... I’d say, “Not a chance.”
    so you're the best. 
    I’m not sure how one could ever establish such a thing, but if you say so... then thanks I guess!
    "My brain's a good brain!"
  • rustneversleeps
    rustneversleeps The Motel of Lost Companions Posts: 2,209
    Thirty Bills Unpaid said:
    rustneversleeps said:
    Thirty Bills Unpaid said:
    rustneversleeps said:
    is canada the greatest country in the world? OH CANADA
    If we had a public education system that produced people capable of posting grammatically flawed and kinda weird posts like this... I’d say, “Not a chance.”
    so you're the best. 
    I’m not sure how one could ever establish such a thing, but if you say so... then thanks I guess!
    you'll never be sure.  you're welcome, don't guess.  
  • mcgruff10
    mcgruff10 New Jersey Posts: 29,116
    Thirty Bills Unpaid said:
    rustneversleeps said:
    Thirty Bills Unpaid said:
    rustneversleeps said:
    is canada the greatest country in the world? OH CANADA
    If we had a public education system that produced people capable of posting grammatically flawed and kinda weird posts like this... I’d say, “Not a chance.”
    so you're the best. 
    I’m not sure how one could ever establish such a thing, but if you say so... then thanks I guess!
    Your weather sucks. No way you can be number one. 

    I'll ride the wave where it takes me......
  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,662
    mcgruff10 said:
    Thirty Bills Unpaid said:
    rustneversleeps said:
    Thirty Bills Unpaid said:
    rustneversleeps said:
    is canada the greatest country in the world? OH CANADA
    If we had a public education system that produced people capable of posting grammatically flawed and kinda weird posts like this... I’d say, “Not a chance.”
    so you're the best. 
    I’m not sure how one could ever establish such a thing, but if you say so... then thanks I guess!
    Your weather sucks. No way you can be number one. 

    Being from California, I could almost agree with that.  But California today sucks because what most people call "good weather" attracted too many people and then the place turned to worms.  So in that case, an argument could be made for inclement weather making for better places.

    And just what is "good" weather?  Everyone around here is complaining about all the "bad weather" we've had here this winter (I've measured just over 70 inches of rain in my yard here so far) so I'm thinking this is one of the best California winters of my life!
    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • Meltdown99
    Meltdown99 None Of Your Business... Posts: 10,739
    mcgruff10 said:
    Thirty Bills Unpaid said:
    rustneversleeps said:
    Thirty Bills Unpaid said:
    rustneversleeps said:
    is canada the greatest country in the world? OH CANADA
    If we had a public education system that produced people capable of posting grammatically flawed and kinda weird posts like this... I’d say, “Not a chance.”
    so you're the best. 
    I’m not sure how one could ever establish such a thing, but if you say so... then thanks I guess!
    Your weather sucks. No way you can be number one. 

    What's wrong with our weather?  Wait 5 minutes and it'll change.  We can also get all 4 seasons in the same 24 hour period...lol
    Give Peas A Chance…
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