To the Editor:
As a resident of Larchmont for over 20 years, I applaud the arrival of new businesses on the Palmer Avenue stretch where empty storefront stood for too long.
Yet every night, especially in summer, we pass garbage bins overflowing with plastic cups and spoons from the new yogurt store, Red Mango. It’s disgusting, but more importantly, irresponsible. Shouldn’t they be recycling the hundreds of plastic items that are trashed each day?
Shouldn’t every food service establishment clean up after themselves? I realize these can are outside, but don’t they contribute significantly to this mess?
There is no place to recycle empty plastic bowls and cutlery inside the store. When I asked, the clerk seemed confused. Then, at the end of the day the street was overflowing with garbage that doesn’t have to be there. I enclose a photo taken September 27, 2011.
      -Name Witheld, photo submitted by writer
editor: what do you think? use the comment form below.
As a long time resident of Larchmont, I too am in favor of recycling and proper garbage cleanup. That being said, however, I think Red Mango should be applauded for what it has accomplished in a short period of time. When Red Mango opened its doors it was still during the time that many storefronts were vacant in the village. It took a large corner space and worked with the village to make it both attrative and in keeping with what we expect in the village. In addition, Red Mango employs many of our young people in the area-both college and high school age. It also provides a safe place for many of our areas young people to hang out at night-much more desirable then a park or the woods. I agree that a discussion with Red Mango should be had regarding recycling, however the conversation should be with a manager/assistant manager who can answer questions and address issues and could hopefully be trusted to address some of the problems posed. Until a meaningful discussion is attempted, why must people jump all over a store that has done nothing but try its best to be a good neighbor.
red mango, why are you blaming the village? there are NO RECYCLING BINS IN your store.
First, we at Red Mango would like to offer our sincerest apologies for the unacceptable situation your photo depicts. When we first began developing our store we had asked the village to provide more outdoor garbage receptacles, since we noticed that the trash from other businesses was already filling the bins to capacity.
Understanding this limitation, we have been getting our staff to periodically empty the village bins as they became full, including redesposing of other business’s trash. We will continue to do so and make sure everyone who works at Red Mango understands the importance of keeping Palmer looking beautiful and inviting.
As far as recycling goes, it is very important to us and it was only at our prompting that the village finally placed a recycling bin on our corner. Unfortunately, it too gets crowded with trash from all the Palmer Avenue businesses.
We will continue to do our best to clear out the cans and make sure a situation like the one depicted is not repeated. We would also welcome any help we could get convincing the village that they need to increase either the amount of recepticles available or the number of garbage pick-ups. The revitalization of Larchmont is important to all of us and we would hope that the services provided by the village would faciliate this revitalization.
This is a problem all over town. Starbucks is a big offender, with its overflowing bin and a container full of water, garbage and cigarette butts that often sits full on the sidewalk for days. They also don’t facilitate recyling. CVS and Stop & Shop often have a lot of garbage blowing around their lots. The town and its merchants, especially these big chains, can and should do better.
“Recycling is the law for residents, businesses and schools alike in Westchester County.” From the county’s website: http://twurl.nl/1ex1zp
I am dismayed that the county has done a terrible job letting folks know that almost ALL plastic is now recyclable (#1-#7), thanks to efforts of our legislator, Judy Myers, and her colleagues.
Very good point.
One would expect that the owners of a store like Red Mango would encourage recycling and would use recyclable bowls, spoons, etc.