The recycling system where I live is pretty good. Each home is provided with a plastic box for paper and another for miscellaneous items, such as plastic bottles and tin cans, both loads are then collected on a fortnightly basis. Not bad at all, that is unless these magical boxes happen to disappear.
The crime occurred when, on one refuse collection day, these elusive boxes failed to return home. I can only conclude that someone with an intense recycling fetish is holding our little green boxes hostage in a shed or garage somewhere. This being the case I decided to turn to the local powers that be; Birmingham City Council.
I called them at the beginning of February to report our missing boxes and beg for a couple of replacements, which, I was assured, would arrive within the next 8-10 working days. Unfortunately, 23 working days later, I was forced to put in another call. The woman I spoke to informed me that they had been experiencing some ‘system failures’ but that she would put in a request regardless. She has now told me that the boxes will be here by 12th March but I can’t help but feel a little dubious.
Unfortunately the longer it takes for this to be sorted out, the less eco-friendly our student house becomes. We do not have easy access to a public recycling outlet and with no car and very little free time we have failed to recycle anything over the past month. So come on Birmingham City Council, give me the chance to ease my conscience and reduce the carbon footprint of my lazy student household.
The new boxes arrived yesterday – very pleased! I am going to write our house number on them and possibly install some sort of tracking device!