SimianLogic

A random smattering of thoughts and occurances from the last few days:

• After experiencing it first-hand, I was told that the traffic on El Camino doubles every time the temperature rises 10 degrees.
• Moving into a new apartment is expensive (this week’s buy: cookware).
• When you buy new lamps, they should come with comlementary light bulbs so you don’t have to go back to the store.
• This device combined with this device combined with bagels make for a kick-ass breakfast that takes around 5 minutes to make.
• Genopal is a pretty nifty tool–even niftier for the fact that it’s got a free version online.

In other news, today I discovered the California CRV. I’ve always seen the little imprint on cans and Gatorade bottles saying “CA 5¢” but I never really thought about it. I had kinda noticed that Coke was more expensive out here, but hadn’t really connected the two. I stopped by a grocery store today to get a couple of twelve-packs and saw the price was 4 for $12–a pretty normal price in Georgia. In tiny little print, though, it said “plus CRV.” Which meant they were actually about $3.50 apiece instead of $3.00. Not that that’s a bad price either, mind you–it just seems a little duplicitous. I have no problem with recycling, especially considering that my apartment has recycling bins. Who gets the CRV, though? Do the trash collectors rake in an extra bonus? I could imagine an apartment-sized aluminum bin could probably haul in at least a few hundred cans a week. Granted, 500 cans is only $25…but how many apartments does one garbage collector hit in one day? 10? 20? After awhile, it starts to add up.

Curious, I turned to old pal Google. From this website:

What if I do not redeem the containers?

You can also put the containers in your curbside or apartment recycling bins, or donate them to drop-off recycling centers or charities that in turn generally use the redemption and scrap value to support their programs. The most important thing is that the materials get recycled. Money left in the DOC fund due to unredeemed containers is used for administration and for grants to local conservation corps, governmental and nonprofit entities for recycling, recycling market development, community outreach and education programs.

I can live with that.