Can You Get a Ticket for not Recycling Properly?

Adam is one half of the amazing duo, Ryan Adam. Not the singer, but two of my closest and most eco-reluctant friends. Adam rolls his eyes when I ask if he knows how many wine corks go into landfills or when I put my garbage in my purse if there's no recycling bin nearby. He'd much prefer it if I stuck to the topic of Britney Spears and her spiraling madness. He has some good points about a lot of this "greenwashing" we hear so much about these days, but he's coming around the bend. The other day, though, he got a dose of good green reality when he got a ticket for not recycling. Yes?you heard me right! Below, he explains the madness.

Missives From a Remedial Recycler

I hate the way recycling looks. That big bag hanging on the kitchen doorway stuffed to the brim with cardboard, cartons, cans, and bottles?it just isn't the look I had in mind for my home decor. Until a few months ago, my idea of being green was making sure the soda can was at the top of the unsorted garbage so the crazy old lady in front of my building wouldn't have to work too hard to fish it out and get that nickel.

But then, one night while I was lying in bed, I had a eureka moment. I realized that recycling is the only way that I can ensure a future for the planet. Recycling is the only way to make sure that my proverbial adopted Asian twins won't have to play kickball on a landfill. Recycling is the only way of life for me.

Okay, I'm lying. The truth is that New York City slammed me with a ticket for being a bad recycler. Apparently, I've been putting garbage in the recycling, and recycling in the garbage. So now, along with the garbage, I've thrown away my chances of ever double-dating with the Gores. (Sorry Tipper!).

Lesson learned? I can't promise. Bad habits are hard to break.

Just because Adam is a crappy recycler doesn't mean you should be. Check out these links for more on how to recycle right.

Recycling Electronics