Signs of the Times

Another in the continuing series...

While eating breakfast in the hotel yesterday morning I was scanning the Petaluma Argus, the local town newspaper, and saw this item:

GreenWaste Recovery, the South Bay company selected after Petaluma’s prolonged search for a garbage hauler in 2005, says it is leaving town.

In a letter to the city last week, company president Richard Cristina sought permission to transfer the remainder of GreenWaste’s 10-year contract to Redwood Empire Disposal, City Manager John Brown said.

No timeline is given, but “They’re indicating they’d like us to consider this as soon as possible,” Brown said.

Reached by phone at his San Jose office Tuesday, Cristina cited the poor economy as a factor in the company’s decision, but said he couldn’t discuss specifics.

“Under the circumstances, it’s a smart business decision,” he said. “We’re in a very volatile market.”

The market for recyclable goods has plummeted along with the national economy, as demand for consumer products made for those goods has also fallen.

Recyclables have been backing up at the local recycling plant in Santa Rosa, the Press Democrat reported in November.

Keep in mind this area is one of the most green-wacky you're gonna find. Everything is about "going green".

However, just because you want to go green doesn't mean anyone else is willing to buy your castoffs and turn them into something else.

Speaking of going green, my wife attended a conference at UCI last week which was heavily advertising their "green" restrooms. She tried to use one of the automated toilets and the thing flushed three times before she could even sit down. In a state that's undergoing a significant drought, I'm not sure that's a "green" solution we can afford.