More and more items deemed disposable

As someone who utilizes the recycle trailers weekly I am greatly appreciative of those who have made recycling a possibility for Hot Springs County residents; thank you!

In recent months numerous articles have appeared in our local and area newspapers concerning diminishing landfill space and what can or will be done to alleviate this problem. Recycling is part of the solution and numerous communities throughout the Big Horn Basin have implemented this successfully. Given our distance from major recycling facilities and other cost prohibitive issues there are limitations on what and how much can be transferred. Could another part of the solution to easing the pressure on our landfills be to reduce the amount of trash we are producing?

Despite having approximately five percent of the world’s population the United States is the biggest producer of municipal solid waste (things we throw away every day). It seems more and more items are deemed disposable, from utensils to appliances and electronics. They need for ease and convenience could have a significant price tag if/when hauling our trash to neighboring communities becomes a reality. A trip to the landfill is quite an eye opener showing the big picture of what our routine trips to the dumpster produces.

Pam Kerr