What can I do about this? (recycling)

DH and I moved into a new apt in February.

Our current landlord does not recycle. She puts everything into one big bag. Now, DH and I are big recyclers, we separate everything. Of course we do this for the environment, but in our old apt, the LL would get a ticket if one can was in the regular garbage.

On garbage pick up days, DH and I put 3 bags out. One for regular garbage, one for paper, and one for metal cans. The LL takes these 3 bags and puts them all into one. She claims that the garbage man leaves the recycle bags there and only takes the regular garbage. I asked her if there is a separate truck that comes later to take the recycle and she claims there isn't.

The other day we had some big boxes to throw out so DH broke them down and tied them up nicely. She claims they still didn't take it so she put it into today's regular garbage.

I want to call 311 and get the truth....but I dont want sanitation coming over here or anything and making it known that there is an issue, and I called.

I think she is old and she comes from the school of thought that you dont have to recycle. I am sorry this is so long but it makes me upset! What can/should I do?

I dont know if this helps but she's an old lady in her 70s, lives alone and speaks broken English.

Re: What can I do about this? (recycling)

I think I remember you saying you live in Queens, right? I thought you must recycle everywhere in Queens?

I would maybe offer to put out the garbage for her. Perhaps they don't take it becuase she doesn't have her pails labeled? I would def. call 311 to find out the truth.

Re: What can I do about this? (recycling)

I am in Queens, yes. We do offer to put the garbage out and when we do she moves it and reorganizes it!!! She micromanages the garbage!

I think I am going to call 311.

Re: What can I do about this? (recycling)

i live in Queens also - i went on the department of sanitation website and found this:

"Every building in New York City is required by law to recycle — including every residence, city agency, school, institution, and business. Recycling refers to the collection and reprocessing of waste materials into new products."

ETA: link to DSNY

Message edited 6/8/2007 10:04:58 PM.

Re: What can I do about this? (recycling)

Re: What can I do about this? (recycling)

i am so surprised that she doesn't get fined!

we have gotten three fines!!! and not bc we DON'tT recycle! I just feel wrong putting certain things in to recycle - like aluminum foil with baked on cheese that we can't get off etc.

every time something like that happens we get a fine!!

Re: What can I do about this? (recycling)

I cant believe it either!!!! I kind of want her to so it will teach her a lesson, but I dont want her to get mad at us since it would be a coincidence if she got it now being that we just moved in.

Re: What can I do about this? (recycling)

Re: What can I do about this? (recycling)

I don't know how the city works recycling - if they pick up recyclables on seperate days, can you hold them until those days? If it's all collected together, then I would call 311 also and get the exact info and give it to her.
Good luck!!!

Re: What can I do about this? (recycling)

My husband loves recycling...we have pick up but we prefer to sort it out ourselves and take it to a recycling station at a nearby supermarket. I think my husband gets great satisfaction throwing his glass beer bottles into the receptacle.

Maybe you have a recycyling station nearby your house?