I'm in agreement with a landfill tax. Unfortunately, the psyche of the Canadian people is not there to make it work.

Our recycling depot is a little out of the way for many potential recyclers. We are not "convenient". When I was on the board, I tried to champion some satellite depots, just for cardboard. THe manager and other board members seemed to believe that such satellite depots would be seen as a receptacle for trash, which would make the satellites too costly. While I still thought the satellites were worth a try, I understood the reasons not to go in this direction.

Plastics with a neck (like shampoo bottles) have a market value that makes processing them a break even or small profit activity. Unfortunately, when these plastics are mixed with lower quality plastics, landfilling them becomes a cheaper option. If only recyclers would separate their plastics . . . . .

There was one fellow on the board who advocated that our area work towards an incinerator that turns trash into electricity. This is quite common in Europe: less landfill, get a second use of our plastics. He has recently become a town counciller. Now there seems to be some serious talk about this idea.

I have limited time and energy. If I am to be an activist, it will be for an alternative democracy.

http://www.tiereddemocraticgovernance.org/tdg.php

In my mind, this democracy will make decisions based on "the right thing to do" rather bend to political pressure. We would get better solutions and get them quicker.