I just had a fleeting memory of the 1st Earth Day -- Our class of 25-30 10 year olds at Woodward parkway Elementary School, were taken outside to the playground during our Social Studies class, and listened to Mrs. Velcoff explain Earth day and why it was important. I know the concept of environmental security was almost incomprehensible to me but being outside even on that chilly April afternoon sure beat whatever we should have been doing inside.
I also remember that some of the students at the local high school were very engaged in environmental activism, with my sister belonging to a club called SAVE. Students Against Violence to the Environment. SAVE had many activities but the two I remember most were newspaper drives, I would accompany my sister door to door pulling my little red wagon and collect newspapers from the neighbors. Which SAVE would sell to recyclers as a fund raiser. The other big SAVE activity was a clean-up of the woods and lake just beyond the High School fence. Sadly by the time I reached the high school 6 years later SAVE was a distant memory in the schools history.
It seems that although we have been encouraged/mandated by our townships to recycle for many years and often at a loss to the town coffers, we as a people have not truly adapted the concept of reuse, reduce, recycle. In the last few months there has been a great deal of news about townships and counties banning plastic shopping bags. The stores in my area have begun selling reusable bags for $.99 each. I carry several and use them whenever I shop, and have done so for several years. The local Pathmark gives me 2 cents off for every bag I bring. I wonder what would happen if instead of giving me a discount for bringing my own bags they charged people for taking plastic or paper? Wouldn't this be a more effective way to reduce waste than government intervention?
