EATING IN PUBLIC - HI-5 Recycling Bins: Helen Higa and company at Central Oahu Regional Park (CORP)

about the Anarchist Recycling System

Yeah, yeah we know that recycling systems, no matter how comprehensive, do nothing to deal with gluttonous First World consumption patterns and the {sad} packaging around all the {sad} shit we buy. Like the rest of the United States, Hawai’i fully takes part in the destruction of the earth.

While there are a few US cities with decent recycling systems, Hawai'i is not one of them. Curbside recycling is available in a tiny fraction of our neighborhoods. A blue recycling bin was dropped off at our house about 6 years ago and we are still waiting for the first pick up. Recycling is only the lucky by-product of our Anarchist Bin Project. We are much more interested in hacking into Hawaii's {sad} recycling system to ask questions about ruling and belonging.

In 2004 the State implemented a {sad} system to encourage recycling. It imposed a 6¢ consumer deposit for each beverage container marked HI-5. 5 of the 6 cents are redeemed when/if the empty containers are taken to a redemption center. O'ahu is the most populated island in Hawai’i. With a population of approximately 900,000 on 607 square miles, there are only 62 redemption centers. Makeshift, nomadic and {sad}, generally in vacant parking lots, these centers are open for business on different days and hours, making it extremely difficult even for the most motivated.

There are no 'public' HI-5 recycling bins because the State has not allocated funding for pick up. {Sad}ly, since the State of Hawai’i values education as little as sustainability, schools (along with civic and social organizations) often use the HI-5 system as a fundraising mechanism. ‘Private’ HI-5 bins spring up here and there, locked and monitored, along with its own political economies, primarily replicating state-approved systems of property and authority, and ultimately morality and belonging. { help ! what's next ? }

Sick and tired of this nonsense, we designed some {funny} Anarchist Bins. (hint: they are anarchist because they are not public nor private, belonging to no one AND everyone.)

We are putting them everywhere and you (meaning YOU the reader) can too.

- at your house, school, office, church, bus stop ...
- where you fish, play baseball, bbq, surf ...
- wherever makes sense.

Want to get involved?

A- Get a Bin or a Bin Kit from us

B- Invite us to do a bin-making workshop with your people

C- Make your own (downloadable instructions)

D- Give us money to buy more material to make bins

IF YOU SET UP BINS - SEND US THEIR LOCATIONS AND PHOTOS SO WE CAN POST THEM HERE, and ADD THEM TO OUR MAP.

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Helen Higa and company at Central Oahu Regional Park (CORP)

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