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Mimi’s post on LiL yesterday talks about, among other things, improving recycling efforts in Lowell, which would save the city trash fees and be good for the environment.  I just got back from a trip to California where we spent a few days on Mammoth Mountain. One thing that immediately struck me about this huge ski resort was the concentrated focus on recycling. Every trash container included separate bins for recycling cans, paper, and plastic, as well as significant signage making folks aware of their responsibility to diminish waste. This is not unique to California. I also noticed it at UMass Amherst last spring, where the cafeteria trash containers featured recycling bins right next to them. Contrast that to Lowell, where the schools, theaters, cafes, restaurants, and streets only provide trash disposal receptacles—no containers for recycling—even if you want to do it. I’ve also heard that Worcester, a sister city to Lowell in many ways (except bigger), manages to recycle 50% of its waste while we coast along recycling only 10%. City and school leaders should work together to aggressively improve recycling, and here are a few ways to start: First, provide the receptacles and pick up necessary for public buildings and along busy streets. Second, make it mandatory for businesses to participate and support their efforts to do so, and third, conduct a comprehensive public awareness campaign to make Lowell citizens aware of the importance of recycling. As a city with a history of initiative, innovation, and partnership, it is unacceptable that we don’t take the lead on this important economical and environmental issue.