In-laws won't recycle?

Question

My in-laws refuse to recycle even though they live in a N.C. city that will pick it up by the curb. My father-in-law purchases and throws away several different newspapers a day. They drink several beverages from plastic bottles a day. They filled my recycling bag (which I fill up every 3-4 days) in an afternoon.

How do I convince them that recycling is not only extremely simple for them, but a "must do?" I don't want to guilt them into it. I want them to be on board!

Answer 1

that's tough - i recycle, but even my own family looks at my like i'm doing our garbage collector's job.

i agree with the previous answer: example is the best way to teach.  just keep recycling your stuff.

Answer 2

Your in-laws are in the majority.  I agree with the others who say you can but try; if you do it - good - but don't be too surprised if others won't.  Eventually more and more people will re-cycle.  Maybe find out who they look up to (politician / actor etc) and see if you can find one that re-cycles.  But I think you'll just have to chip away at them and sooner or later they may start doing it.  Just be cool about it, nobody likes a pushy holier than thou type - which I'm not for a minute suggesting you are.

Btw - I don't re-cycle either.

Answer 3

You might want to get some information from the town you live in.  The town I live in sends out a news letter every now and then, and one of the topics is, how much money the town made from people recycling.  This alone helps to keep our taxes down.  You can't make them (your in-laws) recycle if they don't want to, but you may be able to convince them if you tell them its a way to keep their taxes down.

Answer 4

You can't really teach an old dog new tricks.  Just be an example yourself for your children and be happy to offer the in-laws advice on the day they ask for it.... IF that day ever comes.

Answer 5

it ain't the law sweetie... They should, but people like you can be grating

Answer 6

Maybe if you set up a recycling center for them.   go over their cans, add can they need, label cans,  they just may ues it.  

Answer 7

My parents had no interest or desire to recycle anything EVER...

but the city they live in changed the garbage pick up to a system which provided one large trash bin and one large recyle bin that were picked up once a week. If they needed extra bins a garbage bin cost extra each month while recycle bins came at no additional charge. Still, they filled the garbage bin every week and left the recycle bin empty... very soon after the new system was initiated they realized one garbage bin just wasn't enough and ordered another, while they do not care for recycling it only took a few months of hefty "additional fees" to figure out that while they may not be "in" to recycling it sure would be nice to stop paying fees... they sent back the garbage bin and ordered another recycling bin...

In short, it took cramping thier pocket books to change thier attitudes.

They still don't give a rat's butt about recycling...but they do it anyway

Your inlaws aren't going to change thier habits just because of the environmental issues... hopefully the garbage disposal service in thier hometown will make similar changes and they will do it just to save money

Answer 8

If you have children this will be easy. Let them know your children want to earn something and they are asking people to give them their recyclables to redeam for cash.

If that doesn't work ask them what their objection is. They may think recycling is hard or you have to have an ugly bin, whatever the objection try to find a solution and be willing to do the work.

Answer 9

I bet if their grandchild sweetly tells them what he/she has learned in school about recycling.Then requests that they do it they will.

Answer 10

you cant force someone to do something they dont want to do. the best thing you can do is set an example for them.

Answer 11

If your so worried about it why don't you do it for them. You will never convince them to do it for themselves and if it's that important to you just real simply...do it for them. If you can't, leave them alone.

Answer 12

hehe ya know what id do!!! i would save there RECYCLABLE trash for a month.  then dump it in there living room and say this is how much you trashed your world in one month! some people have to see the damage they've done before they'll care about it. open there eyes to there own destruction. and if its that easy and the city picks it up curbside theres really just no excuse to put your newspaper in a paper bag and plastic bottles in a plastic bag and set them outside. can we say LAZY!!!! lets keep our planet clean for our sons, daughters, and grandchildren. i wouldn't force it upon your inlaws.  but just make them aware of there actions and how it effects our earth. if they still don't care.....well at least your doing your part and setting a good example for your children and realitives and  that should make you feel good about yourself and that's rewarding all in its own!!! hey ya know you could always con the cute grandchildren into laying a guilt trip on the grammy and papa!!!!!