To The Editor,
I’d like to suggest a feel-good local story about the landscaping crew that takes care of my garden and about how a small change in their routine could inspire neighbors all across Coral Gables.
Like many residents, I had noticed plastic bottles, cans and plastic film ending up in yard waste, swales and green spaces. In early September, I asked my gardener whether his crew would be willing to collect their own recyclables during the week. He didn’t hesitate. Since then, he and his team have made it part of how they work, and they have been genuinely motivated and proud to take part.
The arrangement is simple. I picked up four blue recycling bins from the city’s Solid Waste Division and gave two of them to the crew. Between visits, they collect their plastic bottles, aluminum cans, glass bottles and plastic film in the bins. On each service day, they hand over the two full bins and take two empty ones, and I put the full bins out on our regular city recycling day. It costs nothing, takes a few minutes a week and keeps recyclables where they belong.
What makes this a story, I think, is my gardener himself. Landscaping crews work at homes across Coral Gables every week, yet we rarely hear from them. He could speak to why he said yes, what his crew thinks of it, how it has changed their habits on the job and what it would take for other crews to do the same. His perspective would carry far more weight with readers than mine.
I would love to propose an interview with him, ideally on one of his service days at my home, where your reporter could see the bin exchange in action and take photos of the crew at work. I’m happy to coordinate the timing and join if that’s helpful.
Frank Hercksen
Coral Gables
