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Don't particularly see a problem here since the cardboard is still getting recycled. Seems like a nifty arbitrage opportunity. Wish the government would channel

Don't particularly see a problem here since the cardboard is still getting recycled. Seems like a nifty arbitrage opportunity. Wish the government would channel their profits to creating a superior service instead of prosecuting their competition. Obviously there's nuances but still.

URSpider94 6y ago
The issue is that the cost of running a recycling route is largely fixed - one truck, one crew, one day to run the route. That’s balanced out by selling the cardboard that is collected to a recycling plant. If half of the cardboard goes missing, then the cost stays the same but the revenue drops by half. The municipality is going to have to make up that shortfall by raising taxes or increasing the charge for trash/recycling hauling.
- sli 6y ago
  They're being beaten by a competitor.
- rvnx 6y ago
  Well, the waste collectors will recalculate the price with more transparency and start sorting the lower value items instead of putting everything inside a landfill. Then they will create a spin-off with more efficient people dedicated to collect "precious" trash.
- serjester 6y ago
  I think that's a perfectly valid point. At the same time it seems like the incentives are misaligned. I imagine most cardboard getting recycled is from large distributors, not individuals, so maybe they should be getting rebates on their trash bills. But implementing that might be a nightmare so maybe you're right. It's just hard to fault someone for performing a public service.
deleted 6y ago
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luckylion 6y ago
> Wish the government would channel their profits to creating a superior service instead of prosecuting their competition. They could start by removing taxes and fees from everyone to level the playing field, as the thieves don't pay them.
- rvnx 6y ago
  It's the only point they should be prosecuted for: not paying taxes, but that's it. It's not even sure they didn't pay taxes, because apparently they were working in partnership with a "legitimate" recycling center.

URSpider94 6y ago

The issue is that the cost of running a recycling route is largely fixed - one truck, one crew, one day to run the route. That’s balanced out by selling the cardboard that is collected to a recycling plant. If half of the cardboard goes missing, then the cost stays the same but the revenue drops by half. The municipality is going to have to make up that shortfall by raising taxes or increasing the charge for trash/recycling hauling.

sli 6y ago
They're being beaten by a competitor.
rvnx 6y ago
Well, the waste collectors will recalculate the price with more transparency and start sorting the lower value items instead of putting everything inside a landfill. Then they will create a spin-off with more efficient people dedicated to collect "precious" trash.
serjester 6y ago
I think that's a perfectly valid point. At the same time it seems like the incentives are misaligned. I imagine most cardboard getting recycled is from large distributors, not individuals, so maybe they should be getting rebates on their trash bills. But implementing that might be a nightmare so maybe you're right. It's just hard to fault someone for performing a public service.

deleted 6y ago

[deleted]

luckylion 6y ago

> Wish the government would channel their profits to creating a superior service instead of prosecuting their competition. They could start by removing taxes and fees from everyone to level the playing field, as the thieves don't pay them.

rvnx 6y ago
It's the only point they should be prosecuted for: not paying taxes, but that's it. It's not even sure they didn't pay taxes, because apparently they were working in partnership with a "legitimate" recycling center.