OK. So I was thinking, “What if fast food restaurants had a bin next to the garbage for recycling?” 
For instance, when you go push your trash into the garbage, what if they also had one for paper products. I know it could possibly be a hassle because people might throw trash into the recycling by accident or purpose, but there could have major recycling hubs to filter this.
I thought about it when I was eating some McD’s, but this can pertain to all fast-food restaurants. All the paper products they use like such as the burger boxes, bags, and napkins which many are made from post-recycled materials. I know all the paper usage maybe environmentally better then the old waxy plastic stuff they use to use, but what if the paper was recycled instead of thrown into the garbage. I am sure if you scientifically did a study on a days worth of garbage, the results would show the true amount of things that could be recycled. I would guess about 80% or more could be recycled. This is a far fetched idea (very simple though), but maybe one day it could become a reality.
Maybe they do recycle all this, but it seems that most trash is sent to the local trash companies. And many local garbage companies only recycle, recycled materials that were pre-sorted by the consumer before it is picked up. Most know how picky the garbage man can get about sorting the recyclables.
Heck, I remember when recycling boxes came around for homes to be able to put out recycling for trash day. Many people were like ”what the hell” but I knew it was a great idea. Hopefully more come to realization that we need to recycle. Chime in with any thoughts.
About Del
Definitely they should recycle! Then again, so should all households. Our city doesn’t do curbside recycling, we have to pay for it ourselves but it is totally worth the $16 quarterly… My husband always says he thinks fast food and retail should be penalized for litter that bears their logos, to try and get them to promote proper trash disposal and recycling.
Recycling should be included with all trash pickup. Not, “you have to pay to recycle.” What an incentive to get people to practice the 3 R’s.
I grew up in Portland, Oregon for many years, and they have included recycling with trash for a decade plus. It was part of garbage, not an add on.
We need to band together to try and encourage these large corporations to take responsibility for their increased supply of of these materials.
OKC does have a recycling program that is included with our trash pick up. We don’t have to pay extra for it or anything. Actually, if someone wants to recycle all they have to do is call and they will drop the recycling bin at your house!! I am amazed at all the people that DON’T partcipate in this program. Recycling at fast food places is a great idea; who knows maybe it will be the next big thing!!
The best recycling program I have seen by far was in the OHSU cafeteria. They had a bin for composting soiled paper plates, cups and napkins. They had really put a lot of thought into it and I must say I was very impressed! Now if only other fast food restaurants would follow!
I would like to see my trash company try to implement this forward thinking too.
I am almost a fanatic about recycling and I sometimes grab plastic containers out of public trash bins to put in my recycle bin at home. I would like to see trash companies also provide compost bins but I wont hold my breath.