Every day I get off the Metra line in Chicago’s Union Station with thousands of other commuters and watch a great majority of them throw their used newspapers into the nearest trash bin.
After researching the last several weeks for any recycling services in the station, I’ve come up with close to nothing. One spokeswoman in the customer-service department (who refused to give her name) curtly told me that at one point the station “did that whole recycling thing” but she wasn’t sure if it was ongoing.
As a recently replanted Chicagoan, I am appalled at the lack of recycling services and education for the general public here. I call for a com-muter crusade against this obvious waste. Don’t throw out that newspaper! Question officials at the station where you can recycle it, or simply take it with you to your office/home where there may be bins.
If the city or station finds transporting recyclables costly, perhaps they could use the resources available on the nearest street corner. After recycling bins are filled, interested individuals (homeless? unemployed?) can empty them and profit.
What do you think? Too idealistic or simply too time-consuming? Remember, recycling may be an option now, but it will surely be a necessity in the future.
