You Are Not Exempt

Without getting into the fact that Starbucks was voted best coffee shop by readers of the Independent, human beings knowingly have a moral obligation to take care of their environment.  One thing that EVERYONE can do to help is save and reuse materials.  In the United States, our recycling rate, on average, is somewhere just around fifty percent.

Most of us use the residential curbside recycling program provided by the city.  But what about businesses—especially restaurants and bars?  Linda Leighton, who is the Waste Reduction Specialist for the city’s Solid Waste Department wrote that “The City of Raleigh recycling program is only funded with resources to provide collection service to the residential sector.  Businesses who wish to recycle through the city must take the materials to one of the seven Recycling Drop-Off Centers.“  Next time you are at a bar, pay attention to the amount of aluminum cans and glass bottles that go into the trash, un-separated, headed for the landfill. 

Despite the shortcomings of the city’s municipal waste program, one establishment is setting some great examples.  Zely and Ritz Tapas Restaurant and Wine Bar in Glenwood South recycles everything that they can.  (Not to mention that they serve fresh, local ingredients.)  Waste is rigorously prepared and organized for recycle or compost, with very little landfill material left over.  In fact, some customers and investors actually bring their recyclable materials to the restaurant.  The downside?  Co-owner and chef Sarig Agasi has to pay a private company to come and take away these materials.

While there are some great improvements to the City’s budget plan, this major component—recycling service for businesses—is still missing.  Shouldn’t the city be doing everything that it can with OUR tax money to help our environment?