Republic Services needs a better plan

By Linda Parker, Las Vegas

Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2014 | 2 a.m.

Republic Services claims it will have the “largest residential recycling operation in the country,” but they haven’t informed the public how to separate their trash, nor provided recycle bins for public and private use. I think the first step toward a $34 million facility should be a container in every business, home and apartment.

I recently moved to Las Vegas from Jacksonville, Fla., where recycling is on everyone’s mind. The Duval County Sanitation Department provides homeowners with two receptacles. One is solid blue for regular garbage and the other is blue with a yellow lid for recycled items. The garbage trucks have automated arms, thus requiring only one sanitation worker per truck on pickup days. There are specific days assigned for trash and recyclables, sort of like water rotations. Even the grocery store parking lots, apartment complexes, office buildings, gas stations and public facilities have recycle bins.

I am amazed that with all the tourists and disposables in Las Vegas, there is no apparent recycling program or visible containers.

It appears Republic Services is putting the cart in front of the horse, or in this case, the garbage in front of the truck.