Recycle Bins Stolen From My Home, And For Three Blocks Around...

Cell phone photo by Nomistar, blog post by John Hoff

Word reaches me that my half dozen or so recycle bins were stolen within the last couple nights. The city was called to get replacement bins, and that's when I learned bins had been stolen from an area of about three blocks around my house on the 2200 block of Bryant Ave. N.

My theory is the bins are being used by meth heads for meth processing. I shared this theory on the "North Talk" Facebook page and one poster said it was more likely somebody was moving and so grabbed all the bins.

I don't think so. It's very easy and relatively risk free to grab cardboard boxes from store dumpsters. Why go to so much risk, stealing numerous recycle containers in an alley where anybody might see you and call the police? Somebody wanted a bunch of durable plastic bins VERY badly. My theory is STILL meth heads. The fact meth labs are often "out in the country" doesn't change my theory. It's not that far a drive from the Twin Cities until you are in relatively rural areas.

This incident has inspired me to write about an idea I've had for a while, a way of reducing crime in North Minneapolis by making better use of technology. I will get to it when I get to it.

Meanwhile I'm still in "scour the jail roster" mode.

My Son Alex Discovers A New Form Of Recyling At Broadway Pizza In North Minneapolis (NoMi)

Photos and blog post by John Hoff

Few people are more devoted to recycling and composting than I am. The other day I took a plastic bottle all the way home from Mall of America rather than throw it in a trash can.

Well, actually, I had a little help: I asked my girlfriend Megan to carry it in her purse.

So imagine my excitement when I was having "weekend visitation pizza" with my 13-year-old son Alex and I discovered a new form of recycling that I'd never heard of before: re-capturing and re-using the plastic capsules used to dispense small, junky trinkets from gum ball machines.

Now, if only we could save more of the earth's resources by not making small, junky trinkets in the first place.

(Do Not Click "Read More")

Stay Away From My Battery Disposal Bag, You Alley Lurking Druggies!

Photo and blog post by John Hoff

About once a year, the City of Minneapolis sends out a colorful brochure with specific guidance on recycling. I consume every word of this document, then post it on my fridge for handy reference and repeated readings. I have been known to emphatically point out minor recycling matters to friends, saying stuff like, really, shouldn't you use BIODEGRADABLE TRASH BAGS with that yard waste?

If the annual recycling brochure were to be compared to the Bible, and if I might be compared to one who studies Scripture, then I am a Bible student who doesn't just know the major themes of the four Gospels but whose knowledge extends to obscure verses from the Book of Lamentations.

So I happen to know that when it comes to the disposal of disposable batteries, the correct procedure...

...is to place the used-up batteries in a clear plastic bag (preferably of the Ziploc variety) and place that bag on top of your recycling containers.

Only one problem: in my alley, druggies are always dumping out my dead batteries and making off with the bag. I presume they want to use the bag as part of dope sales and/or storage.

So--in the spirit of my "not one can for crackheads" recycling practices--I have gotten into the habit of perforating the bag with a fork before placing it in my alley. A perforated bag holds batteries just fine, but it's no good for storing weed.

Yeah, with helpful home tips like these I should probably have my own television show and magazine like Martha Stewart.