LETTER: Every day is Earth Day

The recycling community is well aware that April 22 is Earth Day. It’s a day 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?

Americans use a lot of resources and produce a lot of garbage. The landfill in your area may not be outliving its intended lifespan. You may be paying precious dollars in taxes 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 an exponentially growing population.

It begins with you. Start reusing. 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. Extend the life of the landfill, save taxpayer dollars, and put recyclable commodities back into reuse.

Take action. Ask your work places, local schools, and governments to start recycling programs. Be a part of change. Feel good doing it. If you have any doubts about the importance of recycling, take a look at your kids and grandkids. If we don’t start addressing this issue now, how will THEY learn? —Candi Zion, Winfred, president of Recycle Montana