If you’ve read more than a couple of my posts, you know by now that I’m not the world’s most up-to-date, culturally hip blogger. So it should come as no surprise that I only this past week watched my first episode (recorded, of course) of “Portlandia,” which has been on…well, don’t ask me, but I’m pretty sure it’s been all year by now.
It made my adopted Northwestern self laugh. Especially this episode about recycling:
I KNOW, right? Especially that part about recycling leftover lotion!
Thing is, I was laughing with recognition. Because our little island voted last year to become an independent sanitation entity, taxing ourselves. So we can be as PICKY as we want to in our recycling. And we want to be very, very picky. Here are some examples from our dump:
Not just “plastic”…but Plastic With Necks!
See what I mean? PICKY. I love it.
There’s a special section just for gardeners and farmers.
Special attention is paid to oil and such waste at our dump.
Best of all is our Take It Or Leave It. Definition? Just what it sounds like. But ours is SUPER organized. Here’s what I mean:
We call it Neil’s Mall–named after the guy who runs it, originally as a volunteer.
“Towels? Aisle 3.”
SOMEBODY will find a use for this stuff. But you can’t have the cabinet.
Thing is, it’s fun to laugh at the Sanitation Twins. But there’s a reason “Portlandia” has been singled out to be mocked for its earnest do-goodiness. Here in the Northwest, some of us really ARE that way. And no apologies!
How about you? Do you think recycling to this level of detail is silly? Does your town’s recycling plan make you crazy, or do you love it? Talk trash to me!!
Wing's World 
Coming from a highly OCD gal, I think it’s like home, sweet home. But I’m shocked so many people follow the rules!
Me too. That’s why I think it only works in small communities.
I love it! The whole community coming together to make better decisions about waste management. Not the sexiest of topics lols. I think we could share the last spot in the culturally hip blogger stakes Gretchen 😛
Race ya to the bottom! 🙂