Recycling

In the era before plastic bottles and municipal recycling bins, local Scout groups profited from recycling glass bottles. Back then, it was standard to collect, clean, and refill glass bottles, exemplifying true recycling practices. Beer bottles held the greatest value for recycling. The Scouts organised “Bottle Drives,” collecting beer bottles from homes in the neighbourhood and neatly stacking them by the Scout Hall for pickup by the recycler. Although the payment was minimal, it served as a great fundraising effort to support their camping gear purchases.

At the age of fourteen, I had my first job with a recycling company, working long hours and travelling to various Scout halls. My tasks included stacking bottles into crates and loading them onto the truck. The work was physically demanding, and I earned $15.00 for a full day’s effort. It posed certain dangers, as broken bottles were a constant hazard, leading to the occasional minor cuts throughout the day. Sometimes, a larger gash would require more than just a Band-Aid. Back then, there were hardly any occupational health and safety regulations in place. In hindsight, we certainly should have taken more precautions.

With recycling bins in every home and a container deposit scheme in place, recycling is now simpler than ever.