Pay as you throw necessary
To the editor:
It took since the dawn of man until 1800 for the world’s population to reach 1 billion, but only 130 years more, 1930, to reach 2 billion. With geometric progression, the earth reached 7 billion last year and is expected to add another billion in 12 short years. All competing for resources, most are longing to live the “American Dream,” or at least our lifestyle.
The days of throwing our “trash” — refined metals, steel cans, plastics, paper — into a landfill to be buried is simply over. Whether mandated by government or by economics, the waste of resources and the inability of the earth to sustain our consumption of all materials will make it necessary for us not only to continue our current recycling efforts but also to expand those efforts into more products and technologies.
Our new system of trash disposal will take time and patience to work the kinks out. The men who work the trucks and the transfer station face a yeoman’s task every day hauling and sorting, and yet every time I speak to them I’m greeted with a smile and good humor.
A solid effort from all of us will be required to make this system work. Remember the people who do this job for you; think of the future not only for our children but also for the world. Ask yourself, is it truly much of a burden to recycle? The city of Presque Isle is on the right track.
Sid Duncan
Presque Isle
