Recycling is the Key

In times of fast pace living and changing technology, landfills are quickly becoming vast mountains of waste. Sadly, much of that trash could be recycled. Modern technology has allowed us to generate trash at a rate faster than ever before. Disposable products are increasingly more prevalent as grocery bags, milk jugs and pop bottles are designed for single use. Eventually these items will overflow from our landfills; however, you can change the future if you recycle today.

Many of the products we use are recyclable. Dirty motor oil, for instance, can be cleaned and reused. Plastic may be recycled to make 'new' plastic, or it can be reused in ball caps, orange vests for construction workers, snow shovels, wigs, and many other items. Paper and cardboard can be broken down and used to create new boxes and printing paper. These are just a few examples of the products that can be diverted from the landfill and recycled into useful, everyday goods.

In order to reduce waste, the Eastern Shawnee Tribe has implemented a recycling program. Tribal employees sort their copy paper, printer and copy cartridges, plastic bags, newspaper, #1 and #2 plastic bottles, aluminum and tin cans, glass, and cardboard. The tribal Environmental Department collects the recyclables each week and delivers them to the Neosho Recycling Center every other week.

If you have any questions about what can be recycled and where to take it, please contact the Environmental Department. Next time you throw something away, think about where the garbage goes. It may not be in your backyard today, but it may be tomorrow.