Recyclables being stolen from curbside collections

Interesting story this one, and a real sign of our times

In a nutshell - people who are putting their recyclable goods out for collection are watching in disbelief as organised gangs with trucks and mobile phones are pilfering all the valuable goods such as glass and aluminum. Even cardboard and newspaper is being stolen to be resold, sometimes for as much as $1000 per full truck.

Pilfering cans, bottles and other recyclables from bins is already illegal in many places, including San Francisco and New York City. In San Francisco, poachers can be fined up to $500 and get six months jail time. In New York, thieves are subject to arrest, vehicle impoundment and fines of up to $5,000.

But in a survey conducted in 2000 by the nonprofit advocacy group Los Angeles Coalition to End Hunger and Homelessness, 75 percent of homeless people in Los Angeles said they depended on income from recycling.