Recycling involves using materials that are at the end of their useful lives as the feedstocks for the manufacture of new products. The keys to improve participation in recycling are to either make recycling easier, to increase the reward for recycling (or the negative consequences of not recycling), or both. Deposits on beverage bottles can be thought of as a powerful monetary incentive for engaging in recycling. The five or ten cents per container is successful in achieving the return of the majority of containers.
             Drop-off programs would be more effective with other types of rewards, such as raffles, contests, and prizes, in order to promote participation in recycling. Adequate publicity and education are very important for both drop-off and pickup programs, as is community involvement in the program. As an additional incentive for consumer participation, the drop-off centers could be set up as theme parks to make recycling fun. Circus themes would be popular, along with riverboats, railroads, and mining camps. The emphasis would be to make the recycling centers clean, efficient, and family-oriented.
             Curbside pickup programs is another means of increasing the level of recycling. Curbside pickup could be more effective if the program offered weekly collections rather than monthly ones and also by having the collection of recyclables on the same day as normal garbage pickup. I think that it is necessary to keep the recycling containers (Blue Boxes) to maintain the participation of recycling. The containers provide two functions, especially if they are bright and easily visible; they provide convenience in storing separated recyclables and they facilitate peer pressure to reinforce recycling behavior (if your container is not at the curb, all your neighbors will know you are not recycling). Making recycling mandatory rather than voluntary would raise the amount of participation. If recycling was mandated by law, failure to parti...