Shouldn't every day be Earth Day

The recycling community is well aware that April 22 is Earth Day.

It is today that recycling businesses, organizations and savvy schools advertise their products and/or sponsor events to celebrate taking care of the earth and, hopefully, positively impact others to do likewise.

It is a day that celebrates preserving a clean environment for the future. But, shouldn’t that be everyone’s responsibility, every day?  

Most people would agree that Americans use a lot of resources and produce a lot of garbage. Take a look at the landfills if you think differently. In fact, the landfill in your area may not be outliving its intended lifespan. You may be paying precious tax dollars for the creation of a new landfill to meet the needs of an ever-growing, ever-garbage producing community.

That is why recycling at home, through your schools, or through your business or workplace is so important. It’s important because you end up paying the price to create a new landfill, and the earth pays the price by being garbaged.

You know what I am talking about, all those plastic bags in the trees and on the fences, and aluminum cans and plastic bottles alongside the roads. Recycling is important because the horrendous amounts of resources used to make this stuff end up garbaged by an exponentially growing population.   

The only one to stop this waste, or at least, slow it down is you.  Start recycling. Most areas have the recycling resources.  Recycle Montana and the Department of Environmental Quality websites are great sources for the how, what, and where of recycling in your area.

Get involved. Recycle Hi-Line in Havre, with a handful of volunteers, recycled the equivalent weight of 19 elephants last year. That is a lot of recyclables saved from a wasteful ending in the landfill. By recycling, the life of the landfill is extended, taxpayer dollars are saved, and the recyclable commodities go right back in the system of productivity and reuse.

Take action. Ask your workplaces, local schools, and governments to start recycling programs. Be a part of change.

Feel good doing it.

And, if you have any doubts about the importance of recycling, then take a look at your kids and grandkids. If we don’t start addressing this issue now, how will they learn?    

(Candi Zion is the chair for both Recycle Hi-Line and Recycle Montana.)