Recyclables and Trash

Recyclables and Trash --- I don't think anyone have paid attention to any of the 2 words since people perceive these 2 words as trash anyway.

Early this morning, I was drying my hair in the laundry area (since my roomies are still sleeping), the cleaning Ajumma for our floor is there cleaning the mess that the students have made over the weekend. It is really like that every weekend, since the cleaning Ajummas are not working in the weekends, the tendency is that the trash piles up until they come on Monday.

The trash are separated into 2: 1 bin is for recyclables and the other one they labeled it as regular waste. As I was watching Ajumma, it seems like most of the students follow the recyclable items placed in the recyclable bin. However, apparently, not everyone do the separation for the regular waste as there are still recyclable items in the regular waste bin. So, in effect, Ajumma has to unpack all the trash and segregate the recyclables from the regular waste.

I would assume it would be even worse in other countries which has left rigid systems unlike Korea. I admit that in the Philippines, I also do not segregate the trash at home unless I am in the offices, malls, etc. It just struck me today as I see how the impact would be. Everyone is talking about efficiency in businesses. Then let us talk about efficiency - then there must not be double work being done.

9:12am Korean Time

28 March 2011