KYG Updates Blog

Environment Resolution

Waste Not, Want Not in Rural Communities throughout Washington

Pend Oreille County

WHEREAS, excess trash is contributing to greenhouse gases, filling up landfills, damaging the environment, and wasting precious resources. For instance, if every American recycled just one-tenth of their newspapers, we would save about 25,000,000 trees a year.
WHEREAS, much of this waste could be reduced, reused, or recycled.
WHEREAS, most of this waste is not being recycled, often because there is a lack of programs available to rural community residents or there are often costs or inconveniences associated with what few programs are available.
WHEREAS, there are several ways to positively impact these issues by instituting programs such as curbside recycling, instituting deposit programs for aluminum cans and plastic bottles, and creating drop-off areas at popular community locations, like grocery stores or schools.
WHEREAS, there is not only a lack of recycling programs in rural communities, but also there is a need for increased volunteer and community service opportunities in these communities. Such community service could be focused on environmental issues such as recycling.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, our intent is to provide community service opportunities to high school students, youth groups, and individuals who are ordered by our local courts to perform community service by permitting them to separate trash into recycling containers at transfer stations.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, our intent is to institute programs to reduce the amount of excess trash that is contributing to greenhouse gases, filling up landfills, and damaging the environment while also providing additional community service opportunities in rural areas.

Submitted by: Heather M.