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I have been recycling since the 70's and I do it with a feeling of stewardship and personal responsibility. I believe we are each responsible for reducing our impact on the environment. There is a sense of doing the right thing and looking at the "whole picture" which includes our kids and grandkids and future generations. It may seem like a small thing, but when we all do it, it can make a difference in reducing waste and saving energy. I feel it a privilege to be able to contribute in my own way and be a positive influence in the world we all share.[[In-content Ad]]

It bothers me however when well-meaning people bring their recyclables to recycling stations and make only half an effort. That is to say, they leave their recyclables in plastic bags, or paper bags when the canisters are clearly marked, "no bags." This leaves someone else at the county level to sort the items properly and ends up costing the tax payers. In some cases this abuse has been so bad; the county has removed recycling stations, simply because some people use these stations as dump areas. For instance, I have seen television sets and toilets dropped off, when clearly, they have no business being there.

What has happened to personal responsibility?

I do believe that the majority of people want to do the right thing, but when it appears that basic common sense and personal responsibility are not being used, it concerns me, as it should for everyone.

People can be an active part to the solution by simply bringing non-recyclables to designated facilities, such as county transfer stations. These facilities are designed for proper disposal methods. For further information or questions in Cass County please call the County Transfer Station and Recycling at 218-587-3500. Or http://www.co.cass.mn.us/esd/solid_waste/recycling_depots.html

The world we live in is just that, the world we live in, and change starts with each of us and in our small ways we can make a difference towards a better world.

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