Enviro Foe

Turkey has the most amazing recycling program I have ever witnessed. The infrastructure the country has created is really second to none. Here's how it works... they gather all the poor people, refuse them any social welfare, and get them to collect bottles, cans and paper left on the street (unofficially). Perfection ;)

It really breaks my heart to throw all the bottles, cans, containers and newspapers in the garbage here. The other day I asked the volunteer coordinator at my office if there was any chance a recycling program would be started in the city - or at least in the office. She assured me the local authorities had started a recycling program, although in its infancy, but the pick up was based on call-in requests. She said she had called in 6 months ago and they still hadn't come by. The funniest part was when she showed me the collection of paper she had built up...... 6 months of paper waste. Oh this is gonna be good, I thought....and it was! She had 1 small plastic bag filled with a few sheets!! Like there wasn't enough paper in the garbage that day to fill up a small bag, let alone 6 months worth of paper. So much for the basement stacked with boxes of recyclable paper. I suppose there are only ghosts and the kitty litter down there.

People here constantly throw garbage on the street. It could be because there aren't any garbage bins around the city - a side of bomb please. Still, that's no excuse. And I always fight with people at shops when they try and give me a plastic bag, never mind the number or size of the items. Usually I say 'no thank you, no bag ..." then they hand me the bag, I take out my items and hand them back the bag. They think I'm crazy. I walk out juggling 8 items in my arms sans bag and feeling a little better.

On a side note, I do find it slightly hypocritical to judge other countries on their environmental initiatives when most of them lack the same infrastructure and advantages Canada has. However, Australia is a country that can be fairly accused of their poor environmental (especially recycling) programs. They had the same imperial advantage we did and yet they are seriously lacking in that department. Come on mate!

All in all, not looking good people. I recently watched 11th Hour with L. DiCaprio and it was really interesting and very sad. I would highly recommend it. We are screwed: you, me and the Turkey. Over and out.

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