Unsuck DC Metro: Is Newspaper Garbage Worse than Food Garbage?

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Is Newspaper Garbage Worse than Food Garbage?

@bdennisr Hoarders: The Metro Episode @unsuckdcmetro http://twitpic.com/3vxio3

Via @empresspam Pigs @unsuckdcmetro #wmata (@ King Street Metro Station) http://picplz.com/Q4zQ

Via @kazahel Jackass just left this on the #wmata seat next to me. http://t.co/qL7oR75

Curious about what other riders think.

From T.:

I know you've posted a lot about eating on the Metro and the resulting garbage, but to me the bigger problem, in terms of filth on the Metro, is all the newspaper refuse left behind by lazy, unthoughtful riders.

It's not uncommon to see entire cars strewn with discarded Expresses and Examiners--less so other papers, I assume because people actually pay for those.

Not only are this unsightly, but over the years, I've seen them used to hide more serious piles of shame such as bodily fluids.

Don't get me wrong. I like having the papers available, if only for the sudoku, but I have a few questions about the arrangement between Metro and Express/Examiner.

Does Metro get any benefit or money by allowing these companies to freely distribute their for-profit products on Metro property?

Do these companies help pay for the man hours Metro must spend to clean up the garbage?

Does Metro get a break on advertising in these papers?

We asked Metro, and, in short, the answers are as follows:

No.
No.
No.

Here's more:

"No, we do not get any compensation from the papers for cleanup. The Washington Post did provide the recycle bins which are located in the mezzanines. We have posted signs and the train operators ask customers repeatedly to take their papers and belongings with them.

The decision to allow the hawkers was because we felt it was a value added service for our customers."

And speaking of the recycling bins:

From Chris:

The other afternoon, I was in Union Station about to enter through the turnstiles in the middle of the platform, and I saw a worker collecting the trash from one of the bins.

I then watched as they continued to the newspaper-only bin.

They dumped the contents in with the trash that was just collected.

Why are they going through the effort of setting up special bins and asking us to recycle when they just throw the contents away with the trash?

Other items:
Nationals' greed may hinder Metro's ability to take fans home (WAMU)

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+8 Vote up Vote down

Guest · 727 weeks ago

Wow. I always thought Metro got a cut. They should, if only to help with the cleanup.

1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago

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Guest · 727 weeks ago

The supervisors on the train platforms making 4 hours overtime, doing nothing, could pick up the trash since car cleaners are not consistant!
Charge the examiner/express a distributiuon fee metro!

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phan · 727 weeks ago

I hate the fact that when they wind up underfoot, I slip on them. Trying to fight my way out the doors whilst sliding on a discarded newspaper equals no fun

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F'n JD · 727 weeks ago

WMATA could sue to recover some of the costs for cleanup. Express and Examiner knowingly and willfully distribute a paper in front of Metro stations knowing full well of the manner in which they get disposed of is costing taxpayers dollars.

Sue WMATA Sue!

2 replies · active less than 1 minute ago

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Ugh · 727 weeks ago

Somebody please kill all the lawyers.

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Guest · 727 weeks ago

WMATA doesn't need to sue. They can disallow the Express and Examiner from distribution in the Metrorail system whenever they want. I think the WaPo and Wash Times would be willing to pay at least something for the privilege of getting their stories (and advertising) out there.

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anon · 727 weeks ago

Holy crap, that's stupid and shortsighted. There's literally no reason for the hawkers to be there if they're not even paying (i.e., their employer) for the right to be there. Metro gains... nothing? Seriously?

Ok, look. Let me try to make this simple for Metro. I'll dumb it down a bit.

You don't need people standing in front of subway entrances, blocking foot traffic.You don't need people standing at the top of escalators and stairways. You don't need to open yourself up to a lot of liability, should someone - attempting to dodge the attempts of an overzealous hawker - slip and fall on the icy steps you haven't sanded/salted too well.

If Metro is allowing the paper hawkers solely "to add value" then all they have to do is allow the newspapers to put in vending machines or kiosks, away from entrances. Boom, less intrusive, probably means fewer papers (as people would need to walk a few steps to get a paper), hence less left on the train. These people serve little purpose other than to get in the way. I'm tired of someone stopping to get their Examiner right at the top of the stairs, thus bottlenecking everyone. Cut it out!

Metro has only itself to blame for the newspaper trash. If it's free, people will grab it. Don't allow - for free(!?!?!?) - newspaper companies to hand out their crap, and you'll see....less crap. It's just science!

6 replies · active less than 1 minute ago

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Guest · 727 weeks ago

There are First Amendment issues here. WMATA would have a hard time preventing the distribution of materials that it deems unpleasant or inconvenient.

Anyone can pass out leaflets or other reading materials in public places. I guess inside stations would be a grey area...

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anon · 726 weeks ago

That's not true. Montgomery County, in fact, has a law - posted outside Metro stations - prohibiting the handing out of leaflets, newsletters, and so on.So of course they can prevent it.They're under no obligation to let anyone hand stuff out on their private property. They choose to do so here to ... well, who knows. I always thought the big newspaper companies paid for that privilege, but looks like Metro's even dumber than I thought.

The best work around would be for the huskers to stand X feet away from a station entrance, including tops of escalators and stairs, etc., if they were to be there at all. But they're not needed, that's for damn sure.

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erwos · 726 weeks ago

Just because MoCo posted it doesn't mean it's true. The Metro accepts federal funding; this is going to have certain repercussions with the 1A.

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anon · 726 weeks ago

Safety issues take precedence. It's beyond comprehension that people would be allowed to stand at the top of a flight of stairs and hand things out. One person stops to take one, next thing you know everyone's falling down stairs. Move them away from the entrance.

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Sam · 726 weeks ago

Metro isn't "private property". Not sure where you got that from. Metro is funded by city, county, state, and federal taxes. It is no more "private" than the National Mall.

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dddddda · 726 weeks ago

I hesitate to paint all the distributors with the same brush. The Express guy at Rhode Island Ave. is agressive and constantly in the way. Except when he's not there, which is any day the weather is anything less than pleasant. The Express guy at Capitol South, when I boarded there, was friendly, efficient, kept out of the way of foot traffic, and was out there no matter how ugly it was. I stopped getting the papers when I got a smart phone, but I used to love them, and would hate to see them go away. Yes, the trash is an issue, and I do think Metro should get something for letting them distribute, but an outright ban on distributing on Metro property seems pointless, un-American, and like overkill.

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Anony · 727 weeks ago

I don't bother picking up the Express or Examiner--they're pretty much worthless. I don't understand how Metro is allowing a company to make profit using Metro as a distributor when Metro gets NOTHING except more garbage to clean up.

Nice thinking, guys.

1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago

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F'n JD · 727 weeks ago

That's why we have smartphones!

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SuiteDee · 727 weeks ago

I enjoy the free, quick-read of the Express... It's a benefit for the riders, if not Metro.
People suck, so I pick up the papers in my car b/c it's MY TRAIN!
I'm over letting self-absorbed, sloppy riders and door-huggers ruin my day!

Peace! ;0)

1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago

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JustMe · 726 weeks ago

I do the same thing. Once I picked up something like 13 or 19 papers in just two or three seats. It's disgusting.

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Corresponding Toads · 727 weeks ago

Recycling takes way too much effort, even if it's all put in a separate container. I mean, think about it guys... is recycling even REAL? How do we know these recycling centers aren't just shooting newspapers into space?

As for the junkpiles left on the metro everyday, I've grown to love it!

If you're ever worried about someone sitting next to you, just grab the nearest Express and put it on the aisle seat. Works 60% of the time, every time.

If you ever take a dump on Metro car but forget to bring toilet paper, no worries. Just don't get too rough with it because newspaper material isn't nearly as soft as the Charmin stuff you're used to at home.

3 replies · active less than 1 minute ago

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John · 727 weeks ago

The Examiner works perfectly as toilet paper!

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ACB · 727 weeks ago

that must chafe

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Ever and Anon · 727 weeks ago

especially if you find you're allergic to the ink? :D

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@justinmm2 · 727 weeks ago

Here's a question: does anyone ever pick them up?

Obviously, it's not your "job" if you weren't the one who left it there, but consider that whoever left it there obviously isn't going to do it. When I see newspapers on the floor like that, I pick them up and discard them when I get off the train, rather than just leaving them there and complaining about it.

It sucks, but it's also something people don't do anything about.

4 replies · active less than 1 minute ago

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Matt G · 727 weeks ago

I commend your environmentalism, as I would do the same had I not been fooled into picking up a newspaper cleverly disguising some strawberry yogurt on the seat. My quick pick-up hand whipping motion splattered the pink goo all over...needless to say I'll never do that again. Nor eat strawberry yogurt either, now that I think about it...

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Ugh · 727 weeks ago

I've seen what people do to their papers. I won't touch them.

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jkuchen · 727 weeks ago

I've seen a Metro employee (not sure if it was the operator or not) walk through a train at Vienna (shortly after rush hour I think) picking up every newspaper. Of course his hands were full after two cars....

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Callie · 727 weeks ago

Me too. Also some bus drivers go through the bus and pick up papers and walk to the trash to toss them. Thank you!

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Corresponding Toads · 727 weeks ago

But for all of you mammy pammies out there complaining about all the newspaper strewn across the Metro cars, there's a simple solution - install holes in the floors of every train so that we can dump the newspapers on to the track. It will be like one giant recycle bin! Best part about it is we don't have to hire anyone to pick it all up because, well, whatever man! Plenty of space above and below ground for our trash to pile up.

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@telecomic · 727 weeks ago

the C.H.U.D.s will take care of the trash as lining for their nests of baby C.H.U.D.s

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mike · 727 weeks ago

Great idea, Toad!
And when the track beds start to fill up with papers, Metro can just do an occasional "controlled burn" to get rid of the excess, sort of like they do in forests to keep the trees at bay.

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UnSuck Fan · 727 weeks ago

Excellent! Next time there's a track fire, we'll have an idea what caused it & why it spread so quickly.

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Ever and Anon · 727 weeks ago

I agree with Anony. I don't read them either but do say hello every morning to the fellow offering them. A polite and smiling face to see when I'm about to board the Metro Maniac Express to work.

I see people all the time deilberating tossing them on the floor of the trains. I often loudly say, "You dropped something!" just to see them look down, look up and me and ignore the paper. Everyone notices but obviously the "culprit" never cares.

A few times I loudly proclaimed as they got off the train, "Litterbug!" Makes people laugh but then.. the moron still doesn't care so it's of little help in the long run.

That "I exist therefore I am entitled" crap is ruining our country as well as Metro.

Geesh. Did I just feel sorry for Metro? ;)

1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago

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guest · 726 weeks ago

I tried the shaming tactic once too. About four months ago I was sitting next to a woman on the yellow line at about 7:15am. She is about to get off at Pentagon, and I just know she is going to leave her paper on the seat, not only littering but requiring someone else to move it if they want to sit down. I told her to take her paper, she hurries off without it as people look at her and rolls her eyes at me through the window. Sometimes I really hate entitled people.

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Guest · 727 weeks ago

The only thing worth reading in the Express is the comic strip "Pearls Before Swine." And I usually read that online.

Most days I pick up the Examiner when I'm leaving Union Station and read it at work.

5 replies · active less than 1 minute ago

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John · 727 weeks ago

Reader of the Examiner huh? Then you must know its Obama's fault that newpapers are left behind on the metro.

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Guest · 727 weeks ago

No, but the Post, NY Times and most of the media have told me that every problem in the world is Bush and Cheney's fault.

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John · 727 weeks ago

Ny Times blaming Bush = bad
Examiner, Fox, NY Post, Washington Times blaming Obama = good

Got it!

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Guest · 727 weeks ago

So I take it you assume the exact opposite is true?
WaPo, MSN, NY Times, Express blaming Bush = bad
Examiner laming Obama = good

Got it!

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elizabeth · 726 weeks ago

Wow Joe and Guest... you appear to be a couple of 4 year olds... why not simply get the NEWS (as in, just the facts) and form your own opinions and not let idiot writers/pundits form them for you? On point of the original post... people need to clean up after themselves and not expect others to take responsibility for their laziness and inconsiderateness- GROW UP PEOPLE!

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ZZinDC · 727 weeks ago

At my bus stop I see the free papers being used as much as seat covers as being read - maybe that's why on the trains they seem to be hiding 'piles of shame' as mentioned above.

On a different newspaper issue - I want Metro to bring back the newspaper vending machines in the stations again. If we can have DVD rental boxes why not newspapers?

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Matt G · 727 weeks ago

Re the metro employee emptying the trash:

I saw this once too, and asked him. He said that instead of making two trips to collect trash, he puts the newspapers on top, then separates them when he gets to the garbage sequestration area. He assured me that the newspapers are "easy to grab" from on top of the garbage and bag separately.

I guess...

4 replies · active less than 1 minute ago

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@kara_h · 727 weeks ago

Yeah right .....

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dwfma · 727 weeks ago

is this really that hard to believe? isn't the point of this blog to complain that Metro workers don't think outside the box (or even fill the box itself)?

have you never, ever, mixed recycles and regular garbage before putting them in the proper cans?

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@kara_h · 727 weeks ago

As a matter of fact, no, I keep them seperate. Not just seperate from the trash, even after years I still am suspicious of the concept of comingled recyclables.

If ever they get mixed in with the trash they become trash. In the unlikely event of that happening though I will *immediately* grab them and seperate them before the trash can lid even closes.

Even if The metro person is saying that I would lean towards doubting them. Especially with their past record of doing the minimum I would think they would not even want to give the *impression* that recycling did not matter to them as people will think 'why bother' and toss papers in the trash that would have gone in the recycling bin.

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Kate · 727 weeks ago

Same here. Once I had a Coke can brush up against a milk jug.

I almost wet my pants in frustration.

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John · 727 weeks ago

I don't think Newspaper garbage is worse than food garbage, as food garbage attracts rats and what not. However, The Examiner is the equivalent of used toilet paper, so in that sense, it is worse than food garbage.

That said I can't believe Metro doesn't get a cut, thats ridiculous.

3 replies · active less than 1 minute ago

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KWM · 727 weeks ago

Just FYI: Newspaper attracts bed bugs and cock roaches!

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Matt G · 727 weeks ago

And L'Enfant Plaza teenager gangs!!

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UnSuck Fan · 727 weeks ago

I thought it was mites?

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VA Commuter · 727 weeks ago

They should make those papers pay especially since the owners of Washington Examiner would have Metro abolished and all of DC driving in their cars if they could make it happen.

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RedLineROFL · 727 weeks ago

I didn't take a picture of a sign I saw today, but am now wishing I had. I saw an ad in one of my cars telling riders to take their papers with them, along with their umbrella, briefcase.... So relevant now that this is up! I'll look for it on the ride home and snap it

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Radner · 727 weeks ago

I choose to blame the riders on this one. They're the ones leaving the papers behind. They're the ones using them as toilet paper. The only time I pick one up is if it is a safety hazard, like on the escalator or stairs. I'm not interested in getting someone's shit on my hands, and I suppose those Metro workers who are embittered are so because they're sick of getting shit on their own hands.

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@arhutch · 727 weeks ago

Back to the original title of the post: Is newspaper garbage worse than food garbage?

I don't want any garbage on the transportation system I am riding, but if I was forced to choose, I'll take papers over food any day.

No debate at all, in my opinion.

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Top Job · 727 weeks ago

I actually think the Express and the Examiner are pretty good "rag" papers. They both cover the local news pretty well. The editorials are not bad for a daily rag writer by "b" level journalists. The Examiner has a conservative bias, whereas the Express is more liberal. Reading both of them can give you some balance. In summary, they give you something to read on the train. Then, when you get to work you can read the Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post.

2 replies · active less than 1 minute ago

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John · 727 weeks ago

Half the Examiner is editorial articles... Where is the editorial section in the Express?

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Ugh · 727 weeks ago

All of it, starting with the headlines.

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Coldbliss · 727 weeks ago

I bet the Metro clean up crews curse the Express and Examiner for the mess each day.

I can understand the rationale for the Examiner: you have a super-rich conservative guy (Phil Anschutz) who want to spread right-wing propaganda to the Metro riders with the hope that some people will lean to the Republican viewpoints. A free newspaper costs nothing to the humble service and middle classes. They just have to digest scandalous news about public sector workers, unions, school teachers and Democratic politicians. I can't tell the difference between editorial comment and news reporting in The Examiner.

The KaplanWaPost Express is another matter. I do not understand why the KaplanWaPost would print these rags at substantial cost with little ad revenue to make up the difference. Maybe the federal student loan money is subsidizing the printing and distribution of the Express. Who cares about educating students at the crappy for-profit Kaplan schools, right? Yeah, I suspect our federal tax dollars are contributing to the littering of our Metro trains and platforms. Thanks KaplanWaPost!

3 replies · active less than 1 minute ago

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John · 727 weeks ago

Apparently a lot of Examiner fans read this blog.... I got blasted for pointing out some guy whining about newspapers that blamed bush for everything, yet he reads the examiner and finds no problem with its blaming obama for everything. Fascinating.

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Guest · 727 weeks ago

I think the point is that you ridicule the obvious bias in the Examiner (and other right-leaning pubs) but seem to have no issue with the obvious bias in the Express (and other left-leaning pubs).

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Guest · 727 weeks ago

ALL Media is biased!

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One take · 727 weeks ago

What can you do? People are slobs; throwing their newspapers on the floor, their chicken wing bones, their McDonald’s containers among their unsavory nail clippings and their hanging chad/hangnails. I cringe at the thought of the cucarachas that live rent/mortgage free in the dwellings of these inconsiderate pigs.

So sick….

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pickupyourtrash · 727 weeks ago

I was in Japan last summer and used the subway every day. If I left my trash behind (newspaper, food) on the subway in Tokyo, it just woudn't fly. I guess it's our American culture. To answer your question, I guess food is worse than newspapers, but in this case the newspaper is worse than food because it's the people with the nice suits and ties who go to their jobs that leave the newspapers behind. These people are supposed to have manners. Guess not.

1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago

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One take · 727 weeks ago

While lots of money can buy you a privileged education and in turn a prestigious corner office and an expensive suit; you’d be amazed that while manners and consideration for others comes free, very few people would ever partake in such an effort for themselves.

It’s a 'Me First' world when you work on K…

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solverQ · 727 weeks ago

Solve trash problems on trains-

1. Install newspaper bins on the trains
2. Car cleaners hired by metro are not doing the job
3. Newspaper distributors could be hired to replace car cleaners who work overtime and do not do the job.
4. All those train supervisors who stand on the platforms making overtime doing nothing could pick up the trash on trains.

2 replies · active less than 1 minute ago

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Ugh · 727 weeks ago

Yeah, there's lots of room to spare on trains.

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Sam · 726 weeks ago

There is enough room at either end to install the compact trash bins that you see on commuter trains. Easily. The trash bins on commuter trains are about 8 inches deep by about 24 inches wide. Put them in by the single jumpseat that no one uses.

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unsuckdcmetro 92p · 727 weeks ago

Metro's response after someone write them after witnessing a similar re-cycling issue:

Please allow me to explain what you observed at our Farragut West Station when a custodian was emptying the trash. Our employees have one large barrel, which contain two plastic trash bags. One of the trash bags is "blue." Its contents are recycle material; while, the second bag is "white," and its contents is regular trash.

Once the custodian enters the back room, he/she will take the "blue" bags and place them in our recycle receptacle, and place the "white" bag in the receptacle for regular trash.

When our dumpsters are emptied and removed from our premise, one is for the recycled material and the other is for regular trash. The two groups are not mixed. We have also taken the liberty to re-address our trash and recycle procedures to our staff. I apologize for any confusion regarding Metro's trash pick-up policy. Please be assured that Metro exercise recycling. You can place your newspapers in our receptacles and they will be deposited appropriately.

1 reply · active 727 weeks ago

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Guest · 727 weeks ago

You'd think they'd let someone with a better grasp of proper grammar handle replies to media/blogs.

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Sam · 727 weeks ago

There are two issues I have with the current free newspaper problem. The first is the recycling. I transfer about midway through my commute. By time I get to the transfer point, I am finished with the paper. Stations like Federal Triangle have recycling bins on the platform, but most others only have them outside the fare gates. Why can't there be more recycling bins within the paid area? Every commuter that is leaving the system will pass the bins regardless of if they are inside or outside the paid area; but not everyone who wants to recycle their paper has left the paid area. I usually end up discarding my newspaper in the trash at my transfer point because there's no recycle. Judging by the hundreds of papers easily spotted in the trash, I'm not the only one.

My other issue is with the riders. In London, the Underground has free papers too and people leave them in the trains quite often. I don't mind papers left behind because if I don't have one, I'll pick it up and read it (if it is in readable condition) and then take it with me when I leave. But at least in London, the riders will cleanly fold them back up and leave them on a seat or on the ledge behind the seat by the window (they have longitudinal seating). During all the times that I rode the Underground (honestly not that many, but I stayed there for several weeks and rode several times daily), I didn't see anything like the mess left behind in Metro. Would this issue with papers being strewn around the car be rectified if Examiner stapled their pages like Express? It would certainly be easier to clean up.

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dan · 727 weeks ago

I appreciate the free distribution of the Express, and don't see that the trash problem is the fault of anyone but inconsiderate CHUDs. Every morning at Mt. Vernon Square there is a vendor that is ALWAYS friendly and polite, providing me with a brief interlude of human decency before descending into the infernal bowels of the Metro. He doesn't get in anyone's way, he doesn't yell (like the INSUFFERABLE lady at Rosslyn does – you know who I’m talking about, the “GOOD MOOORNING lady), and he doesn't foist his papers at you if you don't want them.

The Express also provides some nice light reading for those days when I forget my Kindle, so I have no problem whatsoever with the distribution of the papers. The issue with cleanup isn't Metro's fault or Washington Post's fault - Hell, it isn't even the Times' fault.

It's people that simply have no regard for personal responsibility. These are the same people that are responsible for throwing out entire bags of McDonald's trash while sitting at a red light after they've finished their greasy gullet bombs.

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Anony · 727 weeks ago

I love how Metro has no problem nickel and diming me every few months, but they have never thought about taking a cut of a product they're distributing on their property?!?!?!?

Financial geniuses, each and every one.

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dcn8v · 727 weeks ago

I bet if Metro decided to charge a fee for the paper distributers, the hawkers would simply move *just* off the premises.

I usually don't bother to pick up the papers left by others, but after reading this, I've been shamed into it. If it doesn't look disgusting, I'll try to help out. But first I'm going to invest in a 10 gallon jug of hand sanitizer.

1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago

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Guest · 727 weeks ago

I will regularly pick up the stacks of papers that people have neatly piled on top of the trash cans (which are too full to accomodate more) and carry them the whole 50 feet to the recycling bin.

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jws · 727 weeks ago

When the Examiners and Expresses are on the floor, they don't lean in any direction.

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Coldbliss · 727 weeks ago

I wonder how many trees are killed for daily copies of The Examiner and the KaplanWaPost Express. We live in an age where you can read the morning news on your smartphone or your iPad. If you don't own those toys, you can check the news on your work PC. Seriously, I don't understand why people read the printed crap anymore.

If WMATA has any consideration for the environment and their cleaning crews, they should ban any newspaper stands carrying the daily freebies within a certain number feet from each station. No more dudes passing out papers either.

1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago

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Guest · 727 weeks ago

There are a number of reasons why some of us like old-school newspapers. Granted, I get the lion's share of my info from the internet, but I still like the free papers, for a number of reasons.

Your phone probably has a larger eco-footprint than a month's worth of papers. Every piece of your phone is produced through mining and excavation, whereas printing newspapers requires no removal of earth.

Don't forget the electricity that is used to power your phone. Granted, it's not a large volume of electricity, but it adds up. The power for your phone most likely comes from coal, which isn't exactly a clean power source.

Unlike a phone, a newspaper is reliable and biodegradable, and won't leach toxics if left out in the rain. You don't have to worry about dropping it or someone stealing it out of your hands. Newspapers work wherever you are, regardless of internet or phone/data access. A newspaper can double as a makeshift umbrella, funnel, or even a bottle opener.

The problem here is the individuals who leave their papers on the trains. Take your paper and put it in the recycling bin, you lazy asses!

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JacksonsGirl · 727 weeks ago

My favorite was when a metro employee grabbed one of the papers on the seat, she then proceeded to talk to other metro employees, letting the papers dangle and fall to the ground. She ended up with half the paper on the floor and the other half in her had. Then she turned around and went and sat down, ignoring the mess she had made. When she finally got off the metro, she left her pile of papers on the chair...

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VertereanRider · 727 weeks ago

When Metro first opened (35 long years ago), people were leaving thier papers intentionally so that others could use them, but Metro soon put an end to that with a ad compaign specifically telling people to take the papers with them.

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Rory · 727 weeks ago

The free weekly Epoch Times is a far more interesting read than either of the local papers.

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Guest · 727 weeks ago

Isn't the lack of recycling bins and/or trash cans on platforms due to security concerns? Someone could very easily hide a bomb in an opaque container. Maybe Metro could begin posting clear plastic trash bags like are used in public places in Paris.

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anon · 726 weeks ago

Well it WAS a problem, until it was decided that it wasn't. Many platforms have trash cans now.

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Sam · 726 weeks ago

The new trash cans are blast resistant.

I am not sure how a recycle bin 10 feet outside the faregates is any less risky than a recycle bin inside the faregates.

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Sam · 726 weeks ago

To piggyback on the portion of the article from CHRIS -- re: recycling ...

I exit the Metro at Farragut West. I see the contractor with name (on the uniform) of P. RICHARDSON constantly emptying the newspaper bin into the regular trash. I have pressed her on the subject multiple times and she has (tersely) responded that "Metro does not recycle the newspapers".

Literally, the "Newspapers Only" bin does nothing other than sort papers to be thrown out anyway, not recycled. Instead I have started collecting the newspapers I read and recycling them in my neighborhood's recycling program.

How this isn't a bigger story is beyond me.

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Sam · 726 weeks ago

Sounds to me like P. Richardson is just wrong. I've spoken to numerous Metro employees that have shown me the blue/clear bags that they use to separate the trash from the newspaper.

Sounds like an employee training issue more than a big story.

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David · 726 weeks ago

I agree the newspapers are unsightly, but I wonder how much they actually cost Metro in terms of clean up. Isn't trash from subway cars removed by giant vacuums that clamp over the doors, in the same way that trash is removed from buses?

Ever wonder why the Washington Post donated the recycling bins for the stations? It's to get people to thrown away their papers so that people can't count on boarding a train and finding a readable Washington Post.