Thieves in oakland, calif., took recycling to a whole new level when they absconded with 60 decorative trash cans installed throughout the city as part of a beautification campaign. City officials suspect the cans were sold for scrap metal. The thefts are especially impressive given the fact that the cans were bolted to the sidewalk.

Oakland City Councilwoman Jean Quan, who oversaw the project, is offering $500 of her own money as a reward for information in the case. The green metal cans, which cost $800 apiece, featured attractive mission styling and a separate recycling receptacle on top. As a result of the thefts, deployment plans for a subsequent series of solid gold recycling bins have been put on indefinite hold.

Source: www.insidebayarea.com