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the ball
on recycling
The news that Whiteville is considering stopping its recycling program is distressing and signals a step backward.
Our city, state and nation need recycling – it is one of the best things individuals can do for our grandchildren and for generations to come.
Whiteville city leaders claim that the program was not popular. They don’t understand, apparently, that such programs will only be popular with strong leadership from the governments that organize them.
There has been a rumor of late, based on a confession several years ago, that the recycling company does not recycle all of the materials it collects, but empties the recycle bins into the standard waste stream.
If this were true, then shame on the contractor for cheating us, but more shame on the city for failing to enforce our contract with the company.
Rather than work harder for a clean and vigorous city that believes in the future, our leaders have chosen to ignore their duty.
Many people don’t want a landfill near Lake Waccamaw, but many just throw up their hands and say; “We have to put the trash somewhere.” What we have to do is reduce our trash output and recycling in earnest is a very good step.
Recycling does a great deal for a community. It reduces the waste stream, it improves the cycle of manufacturing and it builds a mindset of healthful living. Children who grow up recycling will enjoy an ethic of responsibility for their environment and community.
We need to continue our recycling program, we need to ensure that we get what we pay the contractor for and we need to generate some enthusiasm for the program. We need to take a step forward as a community that cares about the future.