Tracy Press

It's not right that people take recyclables out of curbside bins, a letter writer protests.

EDITOR,

I walk every day around 6:30 a.m. during the winter months when it’s dark. I hardly see anyone, except on recycling days, when once in a while, I will see a person going through recycle bins, taking what they want and sometimes leaving a mess behind them.

Recently, I have noticed a new trend. Now that it is light when I walk, I notice more people going through recycle bins, taking out cans, bottles and plastic. They sometime work in pairs, one on one side of the street and one on the other, putting the recycling items in a plastic bag. Then at the end of the street or when the bag is full, they put it into a pickup that is following them down the street.

It’s such a good system that I thought, at first, they were city workers. But there are no signs on the trucks, and the people doing the work are not in uniforms.

I understand there are people out there who need money to survive in this bad economy. I also understand that as residents of Tracy, we must pay to have those recycle bins. Tracy Delta Disposal Service picks up these bins and then recycles the items and gets money to help with the costs of the recycle bins’ pickup, keeping our monthly charges down. If the money does not get back to the city, then our rates will go up.

I think something should be done to stop or at least slow down these people from stealing the recycling items from the residents of Tracy.

— Stephen Ridolfi, Tracy

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written by melly , April 12, 2008

I don't know about anyone else, but because we recycle so much our bin is overflowing by the time it gets picked up. I do not care if they want to reach in and grab whatever they can recycle for themselves as long as a mess isn't left in the street. Regardless of how many cans or bottles they may removed from our bin it is still something I'd have to pay for because of all the other recyclable material we place in it. I would be willing to bet a majority of us in Tracy would still have a full bin after they pick through it. In fact our bin gets so full that we have to either bag up the recycle and set it aside for the next pick up which is two weeks away or put it in the garbage. If it gets in the regular garbage bin then the city is losing that money too right? Same thing. After they pick through our bin sometimes it's down enough that I can toss that extra stuff in before it gets picked up. Then all of it goes and all of it gets recycled. It's a win for everyone especially the environment!

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written by Another Drama Student likes Blinker , April 12, 2008

*
Bet it was bob blinker

NixonWasHere

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written by maybenotdumBcommenT , April 13, 2008

Take an average of 10 people removing,(stealing) thirty to forty dollars a day worth of recyclables, times 6 days a week,(conservatively) equals $1,800 a week. Multiply this by 52 weeks a year, equals over $93,000 a year in lost revenue for the city and tax free income for those conducting the theft. Most of which is spent on alcohol and drugs.

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written by Henry Winkler , April 13, 2008

*
Not to mention all that gasoline is bad for the environment. bobo blinker is going to blow a gasket with 8000 more cars on the road this week! One guy was driving a Hummer. I saw blinker chasing him down in a Toyota-EV, trying to get 97% of his OHV tax refunded.

Woooooooooooooeey!

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written by Gary , April 13, 2008

"Most of which is spent on alcohol and drugs." You have proof of this? I was under the impression most druggies just
robbed and stole things that are EASY to steal, going through peoples trash is a whole lot of work for some druggie to do, rather than bust a car window and boost a purse.

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written by maybenotdumBcommenT , April 13, 2008

Gary, it IS easy stealing. How much easier could it get when it's at the curb, they pull up on their bike(I have witnessed that) and dig around in the blue can. Go ahead and ask one yourself, they will tell you the truth. Some of them are the same ones that stand outside WalMart.

Follow the trail from the recycle bins, to the Recycle Center on 6th Street, to West Side Market. Easy directions for you, Gary.

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written by Caan B. Green , April 13, 2008

It wouldn't surprise me, but it sound like Gary just threw down the challenge... He is paying someone to follow the trail? He is looking for proof? Any Sherlocks out there willing to take the challenge?

How are you going to be paying them, Gary?

Recycled bottles???

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written by sleepy , April 14, 2008

most tweekers are named GARY

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written by B-dub , April 14, 2008

Think of the money you'd save in not having to pay for that recycling bin if you just left the recyclables in the street for those who wanted it to pick up. Forget how much the city is making off of recyclables. They're making that money PLUS what they charge you for that bin. I say, give the resident the bin charge free since we're helping the city by giving them our recyclables.

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written by what , April 14, 2008

written by maybenotdumBcommenT , April 12, 2008
Take an average of 10 people removing,(stealing) thirty to forty dollars a day worth of recyclables, times 6 days a week,(conservatively) equals $1,800 a week. Multiply this by 52 weeks a year, equals over $93,000 a year in lost revenue for the city and tax free income for those conducting the theft. Most of which is spent on alcohol and drugs. As for the City, please they can mess up a Cup of coffee.


What do you mean? So everybody that does that is a drunk or a crackhead? I know a lot of older and retired people that wake up to get cans and plastics.Tweekers are goimg for Copper wire,titanium,chrome and rims. Listen to your Police scanner!!
I do understand that some of them make a mess and they don't clean up afterthemselfs but an Honest living is an Honest living.

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written by what , April 14, 2008

As for the City, please they can mess up a Cup of coffee.

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written by maybenotdumBcommenT , April 14, 2008

what, if the elderly are taking the recyclables out of the bin, they are not making an honest living either.

I did not say 'everybody', I said 'Most of'.

How do you know about the coffee? Does the city give it out for free? Dumb question isn't it, just like your comment concerning coffee.

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written by what , April 14, 2008

Ok, don't get all defensive!! Sorry that a Lot of people can't afford these high gas prices like you! If they make a mess well something must be done because your the one that has to clean it up,yet by them just lifting THE LID ON YOUR GARBAGE OR RECYCLABLES, how is that stealing your Money? To me you sound like those stupid callers on the Tracy Press Police log!! Get a life, by the way change your name it should be "I don't have a life", damn you comment on every article and subject.

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written by maybenotdumBcommenT , April 15, 2008

what,I'm not the only one commenting on all these articles. I hardly use any gas and they aren't stealing from me. They are stealing from The City of Tracy of which we have to reach a certain goal of recycling by law. So far I haven't said nor seen a mess but have walked to put garbage in my can and several times someone is digging in it. I don't like that. I have no idea if they are nuts or not.

Never got my name in the police log because if I have a problem with a neighbor I talk to them about it and we are a friendly bunch. But don't mess with us. You grow pot, we'll turn you in, you break into our car we'll chase you down(happened in the daylight once) and we scared the kid so bad he never came back.

To me you sound stupid because you can't read right. I have a fairly nice life. I can pay our mortgages on time, great grandkids and a successful child BTW, I'm not rich either.

People that dig in garbages are low life's and lazy. There are jobs to be had They just want it too easy and then complain they have now place to sleep or bathe.

I will speculate, since you did here, what, and say you change you name around a lot but mine stays the same.

BTW getting defensive is the name of the game here. Te commenrts are pretty interesting.

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written by K3TSM , April 15, 2008

Tracy Delta Disposal Service picks up these bins and then recycles the items and gets money to help with the costs of the recycle bins’ pickup, keeping our monthly charges down. If the money does not get back to the city, then our rates will go up.

Since no one else has pointed it out, the 6th St recycling center is operated by Tracy Delta Disposal Service. I would bet that alot of the "stolen" recyclables from central and south Tracy are ending up there anyway. Don't see a problem with that as long as these people aren't dumping the bins on the street for the homeowner to clean up. Aluminum prices are pretty good right now, I save my cans/bottles/plastics and take them to 6th St. Pays for a couple gallons of milk.

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written by maybenotdumBcommenT , April 15, 2008

Actually, I did mention the 6th street recycle center on April 13th.. The thieves steal other thongs like wire off of poles and copper wire out of foreclosed homes and sell it there too, or had been up until recently. The difference is the thieves get the booze money and it is not recuperated.

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written by what , April 15, 2008

Wow, your whole life story to a stranger? I rest my case!!!

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written by tmv , April 15, 2008

We all need to take a deep breath and be a bit less self-righteous. I've always felt it a good thing if others find use in my cast-aways. But then, if the Disposal Service is being paid by residents to collect cans and then has to pay out for those very same cans collected by late night scavengers -- I can see where there's a problem. Perhaps if there was less of an incentive (less paid per pound?), there would be less scavenging...?

You should be proud if you have your act together and have employment - a nice house, nice kids, and a nice ride. But some of you are viewing this recycling issue as if it were an assault on your "castle." And then there are some of you who find humor? in trading barbs and insults with one another and in mislabeling -- "People that dig in garbages are low life's and lazy. There are jobs to be had They just want it too easy and then complain they have now (sic) place to sleep or bathe. ." Wow... the compassion is breath-taking. Are there really "jobs to be had" as you so easily state?
It's true, there may be druggies or drunks, and a few may leave a mess behind, but by and large these are folks are decent and just need a little extra money (don't we all?). It's not always easy... a 65 year old man, out quietly collecting cans with his wife at 4 AM in Laurence Ranch, was assaulted, twice punched in the face by a drunk resident(!) and knocked to the ground.

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written by newsflash , April 15, 2008

Never got my name in the police log because if I have a problem with a neighbor I talk to them about it and we are a friendly bunch. But don't mess with us. You grow pot, we'll turn you in, you break into our car we'll chase you down(happened in the daylight once) and we scared the kid so bad he never came back.

Wow, what a hero (aside from the car part, I'd smack a fool who touched my ride, too). Nice that you have so much free time to mind everyone else's business.

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written by maybenotdumBcommenT , April 15, 2008

tmv, This is not self righteous, it is fact and law. I have run into these scroungers myself several times. You have no idea what they can produce out of these cans besides recyclables. They find your personal information. It is best they stay out of all of them. If these people want the cans and bottles they can go to the doors and ask for them. They are up at 4:AM because they know they are stealing. It ends up being an assault on the neighborhood because they see a bike sitting out and they take it. If I were you, tmv, I'd get my head out of the sand and see the whole picture.They scrounge in medical office trash and see records you wouldn't anyone to know about, Yes I know this for a fact Well, yes they are low lifes and lazy. They are sneaking around, what else would you call them. Oh ya, and they are breaking the law too. In City cans, belongs to the City! These garbage diggers make a couple hundred dollars a day doing this and they could rent a motel for the night if they wanted too. They would rather spend the money on booze and drugs. No I don't have compassion for thieves. If they steal out of garbages they steal anything not nailed down within reach. What! do you think they have respect for your property? hahaha. To bad the old man got hurt but maybe this guy had enough of it. It wasn't right but the old man wasn't right either. Which is the worse of the two?

what, it's not my whole life, it's life experience.

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written by maybenotdumBcommenT , April 15, 2008

newsflash, how would you like to have a grow house in your neighborhood that attracts teenagers. Teenagers that start busting out car windows, racing up and down the street acting like idiots. You bet we turn them in. I only talked to my neighbor about their barking dog. The dog doesn't bark anymore. We respect where we live and try to stay safe. Nothing wrong with that.

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written by Had Enough , April 15, 2008

Bottom line: If it isn't yours, then it isn't yours. Just like something that happened to me today. I became distracted while loading groceries into my vehicle and left my day runner in the cart. I was gone maybe ten minutes before I realized I had left it behind.
I went back, and it was gone. And it was not returned to the grocery store. Nor has anyone called me saying that they have found it. It had no money in it. Just pictures of my parents and my son and my address book. It would have been so simple to just leave it where it was, but some thief thought otherwise.

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written by B-dub , April 17, 2008

I have no problem with people going thru my recycle bin to retrieve stuff just as long as they don't make a mess. Sometimes people run short of cash and need the extra help of collecting recyclables. Some others may say that the people "stealing" the recyclables are looking for cash to support their habit. I think I'd rather have them take the recyclables than break into my house to steal or rob me on the street. I still say we shouldn't be charged for the bins if the city is profitting from the recyclables but that just my opinion. They're collecting two ways.

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written by maybenotdumBcommenT , April 19, 2008

B-dub, You can't have it one way because it's breaking the law less then the other. Your charge for the bins as you call it pays the garbage people to pick up the garbage. We aren't going to get it for free. The citiy and others have to reach a recycle amount, some law. Sorry I don'r know the name of it

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written by B-dub , April 20, 2008

maybenotdumBcommenT....I understand what you're saying but I still wouldn't care if someone took recyclables from my bin. The law you're looking for is "theft". It's a theft for someone, other than the owner, to rummage thru the recycle bins that belong to the city, not the homeowner.

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written by maybenotdumBcommenT , April 21, 2008

No B-dub, the name of the law, or the amount each city has to recycle, by law, I think. eh, sounds confusing. Anyone know what I mean?

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written by B-dub , April 22, 2008

maybenotdumBcommenT, I think this is what you might be looking for.

The Integrated Waste Management Act of 1989, AB 939, requires local governments to prepare plans and implement programs to achieve 50% waste reduction by the year 2000. AB 2494, passed in 1992, refined and standardized methodologies to measure and report waste disposal reduction via a jurisdiction's Annual Report. AB 75, passed in 1999, requires state agencies to meet a waste diversion goal of 50% by 2004 and to document efforts in meeting these goals. In 2001, the state's Integrated Waste Management Board established as one of seven strategic goals, the promotion of a "zero-waste" California. State agencies must meet recycled content procurement goals in 12 product categories with varying minimum content levels specified.

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written by maybenotdumBcommenT , April 23, 2008

thank you B-dub.

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written by B-dub , April 24, 2008

You're welcome.

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written by maybenotdumBcommenT , April 25, 2008

I know some people think it's nothing for these people to steal out of the recycle bins. The bills are going up and we could blame it on the water part of our bills. This figure is a small amount so who knows how many are stealing from the bin. It could be thousands a day, meaning how much a month?I don't know. Wake up people

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written by B-dub , April 25, 2008

I don't think that blaming water usage is right. I think people today are fed up with gov't charging us this and charging us that. A lot of families are short cash because everything keeps going up in price and wages stay the same. A lot of families probably had their homes foreclosed because of this. (Ok, many tried to take advantage of an ARM and miscalculated) I think our economy is in a mess and there doesn't look like there's a novel way to get out of it. As residents, we get nickeled and dimed for everything. I'd like to not be charged for the "blue" recycle bin since whoever is collecting the recyclables is making a profit on top of the monthly bin fee. But, if they eliminated that fee and still picked up the bin they'd only raise the price of picking up our regular garbage. We can't win.

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written by maybenotdumBcommenT , April 28, 2008

I agree about not charging for the blue bins and they should not but the recycle thieves take thousands of dollars monthly from us.

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written by maybenotdumBcommenT , April 28, 2008

I was about to get in my car this AM and heard one of the garbage can lids pop down. I poked my head up and sure enough the same guy I caught two weeks ago riding off in his bike with a huge bag of recyclables. I went to the neighbors house to tell them it was the second time I have seen this in a month and told them to be sure to grind all your important stuff. I could have yelled at him but it would not have made a difference. They are as concerned about it as I am. It feels like an invasion of privacy.

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written by B-dub , April 28, 2008

There are going to be those people who will go thru your recyclables looking of information to steal your identity. The thing to do here is to buy a really good criss-cross shredder and shred everything with your private info and junk mail with your name/address on it. Most of the stuff taken out of mine are aluminum cans, which don't amount to very many. Cardboard and everything else is left behind.

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written by maybenotdumBcommenT , April 29, 2008

I have a good shredder.

Call the police if you see someone stealing your recyclables. They have no business getting into one. I happen to be in the right place at the right time and a local dumpster diver had a prescription bottle with someones name on it an it was for Viagra. I was helping back a couple years to help the residents dump garbage for free. They grab anything.