RECYCLE: A word to live by

Did you know that recycling just one aluminum can save enough energy to run a television set for 3 hours? And about one-third of an average dump consists of just packaging material? What!?!

These are facts from BYU-Idaho and two of the many startling statistics on the issue of recycling.

As a resident of Post Falls, I see many people taking trash to the landfill but not using recycling services enough.

As the holiday season approaches, thousands of packages will be sent with extraneous packaging material that simply goes into trash cans and then the landfill. People should be more aware of the many recycling services available, from curbside recycling of consumer products to bigger things like iron, appliances, and even automobiles.

The City of Post Falls and the surrounding region should do more public service announcements on TV, radio, and social media about the benefits of recycling. Schools, too, should provide students more education about the basics of recycling and the disastrous environmental consequences of a community that does not prioritize recycling and sustainable practices.

I hope that in writing this letter my fellow citizens will be more cognizant of where they put their trash. In the words of Margaret Mead, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

JOSEPH ESTRADA

Post Falls