Seems like we've been recycling forever, even before it became popular in the decade of gas shortages. I'm amazed at the amount of reusable stuff I see going into landfills, things that won't ever break down or decay. We even put the paper shredder scraps into the compost, and take our old newspapers to the pet store where they use it to line cages, etc. It isn't even any additional work, and it's beyond me why people view it as such a chore. If you are discarding something, why is it any harder to put it in a separate container rather than dump it all in one bin? Why is everything packaged in multiple layers of paper, plastic, and staples? We only have a couple of hardware stores in our area which is near a large city, that sells nuts, bolts, screws etc. from a bin, where you can buy only what you need rather than a bubble package using paper and plastic. We even use our plastic grocery bags for wastebasket liners..(which may be more due to my inherent frugality than concern for the environment....!) Usable items go to freecycle so they don't end up in the trash. I agree, clean air and water should not be a political issue, but it seems that it has become so. Sometimes I am glad I won't be around twenty years from now when all this comes home to roost.
