Doing the right civic thing
THE use and abuse of the yellowtopped recycling bins in Dunedin exemplifies much about human nature and collective action. What a mixed bag that is. Many are conscientious and helpful and many are lazy and selfish.
The Dunedin City Council has begun inspecting recycling bins to check their contents after ‘‘contamination’’ rose from 5.7% in 201011 to 11% in 201617.
The council optimistically says early inspection results show high levels of compliance, but also incidents where rubbish, including used nappies, have been thrown where only recycling should go.
While it might be reasonable the council puts a positive public spin on resident behaviour, 11% contamination levels are poor. The basic rules for using recycling bins are not that hard, even if ignorance around the margins is understandable. The near doubling of contamination levels in six years is particularly concerning.
Compared to most New Zealand cities, Dunedin does well on measures of civic pride and duty. Even Dunedin, however, shows how hard compliance is to achieve on voluntary activities hidden from the public eye.
The content of the bins, unlike the blue receptacles for glass, are out of sight. The rubbish operators come along and mechanically pick up the bins, disgorging contents into trucks. Some residents have been getting away with using the recycling bins for rubbish, and more are doing so each year. The bins are convenient, and the price for black rubbish bags is saved.
These culprits are both undermining recycling efforts — more contaminated rubbish will go straight to landfill — and increasing sorting costs. The extra expenses will come back on everyone else. The indolent, selfish and lackadaisical are letting the side down.
It is naive to think this would not occur. Similar patterns of behaviour show how difficult it is to sustain behaviour for the greater good when there is no oversight or repercussions, no social, financial or legal sanctions. If only amorphous taxpayers, ratepayers or businesses suffer, and there is no chance of being caught or exposed, many will abuse the system. That is a disappointing and unfortunate truth.
This side of human nature can be ameliorated by fostering a sense of right and wrong, by civic pride, by care for others, by deep values. Individuals, as well as society as a whole, need to bolster good community behaviour. That encourages a milieu where more people are likely to act in better ways. It becomes more the done thing.
At the same time, right actions and attitudes must be reinforced by consequences. It is, therefore, appropriate for the council to dig into what households are putting into their bins. It is encouraging for green tags to be left on the bins for those doing the right thing, along with thank you stickers. Orange tags for those with only a few incorrect items is also an affirmative response. Bins with red tags, meanwhile, will not be emptied and a letter with further guidance will be left. Hazardous material will need to be removed, and the bin put out the next collection day.
Needles, for example, put sorting staff at risk. If material is still there on the third visit, the bin may be removed and the service unavailable for three months.
The diligent majority might need reminders plastic bags, disposable coffee cups, polystyrene and juice boxes have no place in recycling bins. But they, at least, can be assured some of those making no effort are being detected.