2 weeks Ago By Jen Garofalo
April 22 will herald another day of recognition for a cause known to be critically important, yet struggling mightily to become an accepted routine in American life. No one can deny that from the 70’s when scientists first became aware of global warming, water and air pollution, and dangerous changes in weather patterns, progress has been made in dealing with issues of environmental damage. But have we done enough? Earth Day asks that we revisit the latest information on these problems and hopefully make a decision to do our part minimizing our negative effect on the environment.
If only measured by numbers, humans affect the world we live in negatively. As the population multiplies, we use up more natural resources, put more chemicals in the air, create more harmful compounds (like plastics) and destroy more and more oxygen producing forests. As developing countries around the world become industrialized, environmental problems are greatly accelerated.
One opportunity for individuals to do their part is to recognize and participate in Earth Day’s three R’s: reusing, reducing and recycling. Recycling is the most visible practice that has been embraced on an individual and community basis. Most plastic, paper, metal and glass can be recycled, yet some recycling bins are ignored or vandalized.
Meanwhile, trash collectors haul away truckloads of material to the landfill that could have and should have been recycled. As American life became more hectic and complicated, so did packaging in cardboard and plastic. In a throwaway society, everything from straws and plastic bags to appliances, cigarette butts, tires and furniture become unusable waste and pollute the environment.
Material that doesn’t pack landfills ends up in streams, along roads, on beaches and in oceans. Communities have struggled with the mounting garbage problem for years, attempting to engage the public in a recycling effort. Some towns have recycling coordinated with their trash pickup, but many do not.
Fayette County should be lauded for the concentrated effort made in recycling by placing convenient bins in most communities. The bins are serviced regularly. All kinds of recyclable materials are accepted in the easily accessed containers bearing the logo of “Keep Fayette County Green.
” The organization’s headquarters in Uniontown accepts hard to recycle styrofoam products as well. The container in local communities is placed in a convenient location and is regularly inspected and exchanged. Yet, if you ride through town on garbage pickup day, you will see piles of cardboard, plastics and other items that could (and should!) have been recycled.
A simple act of reusing or recycling materials significantly reduces the impact on the landfill, extending its life and usefulness. Reducing the utilization of use-and-toss packaging products, reusing products that you can, and recycling what you can will help preserve what comes after us. This is the promise of Earth Day.
..and every day! Roy Hess Sr.
is a retired teacher and businessman from Dawson..
