Jess in Ireland: Recycle

Recycling is HUGE in Ireland. As renters, we will actually get fined if we do not seperate our trash and recycling properly in Niland House, and this is one of the most 'chill' places to live available in Galway.

As Niland House renters we must seperate glass from everything, our paper, plastic and cans must be seperated into a clear trashbag and then our trash - including food scrapes and food wrappers go into a black trashbag. On the ground floor there is a back door to a room filled with horse stall-styled enclosured rooms. Each of these rooms are labeled for a particular type of waste, and have large bins to throw your black or clear trashbags.

When you go grocery shopping you have to pay for bags, at 60 cents a piece. So, typically many people bring their own reusable bags, backpacks and sometimes even rolling suitcases to carry their groceries home. I use a backpack because I find it easier on the shoulders to carry my heavy items, and a large reusable Stop N' Shop bag. The reusable bag is used for items like bread and eggs that do not fit in my backpack.

Your food packaging will actually have comments such as "after enjoying... please remember to recycle and keep our environment clean...". Not to mention a frozen pizza package will also recommend making a salad to accompany it!

I really like many of these ideas Ireland's government has mandated. Recycling should be an important part of our daily lives. It should be a natural habit we don't even have to think about. I don't know your stance on global warming, if you believe in it or not, but, I think recycling makes sense either way. It is a healthy way to dispose of packaging and waste for an individual, while conserving resources and energy. Recycling just makes sense, and I love that it has become a natural part of the Irish way of life.

I hope the US makes thses changes as well. They are simple, and can only bring beneficial results. Leave you reusable bags in the car and bring them in with you when you go grocery shopping. Instead of using 20 plastic bags you can fit the same amount in 12 reusable bags. Reusable bags don't break - easier for the consumer, and they are easier for the bagger - I know, I've been one. Reusable bags prevent uneccesary waste in energy output and resource. The Irish (and many European nations) have enforced this change over the past 10 years by charging the consumer for using plastic bags. This is a great idea. 60 cents is not enough to break the bank if you forget your bags for a quick grocery run, however, it will get mighty expensive if you go every week to your weekly grocery shopping trip and keep forgetting them.