| It was the fall of 2005. Like any other Tuesday, I | | | | recycling symbol would be recycled. The reality is |
| went to pick up my recycling bin that I had left | | | | that many items are disregarded at recycling |
| by the curb. Much to my surprise, the bin was still | | | | centers all over the country. Although some |
| full with a nasty note attached stating I was in | | | | municipalities and states have taken great |
| violation of a municipal code regarding what I tried | | | | initiatives to end this wastefulness, until there are |
| to recycle. Although everything in the bin had a | | | | federal guidelines to prevent towns from not |
| recycling symbol on it, no specifics were | | | | recycling what they don't want to recycle, millions |
| mentioned about exactly why my recycling | | | | of tons of debris will end up in landfills annually that |
| contents were rejected. Instead, much to my | | | | could have been prevented. |
| horror, I saw a list of potential fines I would incur | | | | What can we do? Aside from supporting new |
| for repeated offenses. | | | | legislation that bans wasteful practices, education |
| Although the town kept a low profile on their | | | | is key. Spreading the word about biodegradable |
| reasons for not recycling certain items, word | | | | alternatives such as corn starch utensils, sugar |
| through the grapevine was that they don't like | | | | cane cups/bowls/plates and biodegradable peanuts |
| recycling plastic food containers because they | | | | (packaging material) and biodegradable |
| believe it attracts rodents at the recycling center. | | | | compostable trash bags can help. |
| Even though I always put my used frozen food | | | | Another way to make a difference is to abstain |
| containers in the dishwasher and even pre-rinsed | | | | from buying products whenever possible that |
| to make sure they were 100% clean, this | | | | contain non-recyclable materials. Straws for |
| apparently was not enough for the town. Rather | | | | example, are unnecessary for hydration and |
| than sending out a warning to people who were | | | | outside of hospitals, probably should be banned. |
| putting dirty food containers in their recycling, the | | | | Knowing the proper procedures for how to |
| township decided it was better to regard these | | | | recycle and what your town will accept can also |
| items as trash. In a city with 80,000 plus | | | | help. |
| residents, this meant that thousands of frozen | | | | Although we still have a long way to go before |
| food containers, plastic cups and other items | | | | every recyclable item is given a second chance, |
| bearing the recycling symbol could potentially end | | | | the first step to fixing a problem is knowing that |
| up as trash each day. | | | | it exists. The future of our planet and the legacy |
| In response to the threats, many people stopped | | | | we leave behind is up to us now. We can pretend |
| recycling altogether. Realizing their error, the town | | | | there is no problem until our landfills are overfilled, |
| quickly reversed its policy of playing hardball but | | | | our taxes increase and pristine environments are |
| stuck to its guns about not accepting certain | | | | destroyed or we can take an active stand now |
| items. | | | | and resolve to end this wastefulness while there |
| In a perfect world, everything that contains the | | | | is still time. |