The recycling movement has finally become an official religion. Have you ever felt guilty for throwing that glass bottle into the trashcan, instead of the recycling bin? I believe the emotion of guilt should be reserved for higher level trespasses such as those of a religious or moral nature. But we’ve all felt it in regard to a single instance of non-participation in the recycling mania.

In Chapel Hill and other progressive thinking places, including workplaces, there are literally signs labeling trash cans. When I was in the Chapel Hill Public Library, I saw such as sign.

It’s so confusing at the grocery stores or workplaces when you’re ready to bus your own table, you want to throw up your hands and just throw it all away. Who can know what can be composted, sent to the landfill or recycled? If you think this act will save the earth, I suppose you would be willing to obey orders. And don’t you feel that guilt when someone sees you throw something into the wrong bin?

How much energy does it take to turn recyclables into useable items? And do the environmental transgressions by China in just one day, erase all our efforts?

I think we’re still free in America, but I don’t feel very free being pushed around by those with Ph.D’s in composting.
If you fly over Orange County, you’ll see vast amounts of open land; yet we’re told there’s no room for another landfill. Sure, there are complex political decisions involved, but there’s no shortage of space.

So, the next time I rebelliously throw that bottle into the trashcan and let the water run while I am lathering (yes I saw such a sign!), am I committing a sin against the environmental religion? Does Al Gore need to write me a ticket? Oh, to feel free is a glorious feeling and occasionally I indulge myself!

Related Stories
‹
'A Beautiful Effort': Community-Organized Hillsborough Climate Challenge Begins
Monday, April 1 will kick off the Hillsborough Climate Challenge – a full month of events highlighting sustainable activities for Hillsborough residents.
Chapel Hill Council Members Want Climate Plan Sooner
The Town of Chapel Hill took more steps toward creating a climate action plan at a meeting earlier this month. They reviewed a draft of the plan meant to improve the town’s environmental impact and promote ways for the community to become more sustainable. Since resolving to become eco-friendly in 2005, Chapel Hill has taken […]
The County Needs an Alternative Energy Task Force
The growth of alternative energy is accelerating. Here and there across Orange County, photovoltaic systems are being installed, solar water heaters are appearing on rooftops, and geothermal systems are on the rise. A large solar electric generating system will soon be installed on White Cross Rd. As the science fiction writer Bruce Sterling said, “The […]
Biggest Policy Failure in County History
At every nearly every fork in the solid waste policy road, Orange County has taken the wrong path. Now we are paying a heavy price for the political cage we built to trap ourselves. Starting with the doomed landfill search in the early 90’s, County leadership insisted on siting a mega-landfill (many potential sites were […]
It's Not Obdurate Stupidity (Response to "Common Science")
This T.W.O. Cents Column is in response to“It’s a Theory That’s Out There” – from Common Science, by Jeff Danner. You ask what people, and especially politicians, mean when they say “no” to science, and particularly evolution. I believe it is because people compartmentalize their understanding. Science is perceived to be the first step toward engineering, […]
True Community in a Transient Town
Though I’ve been in the Chapel Hill area for over 25 years, I only began getting involved in the community a few years ago when I attended “Leadership Chapel Hill” through the Chamber of Commerce. I thoroughly enjoyed that class, learned a ton, and met lots of wonderful people. From there I plugged into the […]
Stop Speed Bumps!
Guest Column by Eric Plow In spite of a bad economy, dwindling tax revenues, and unmanageable fiscal debt, cities and towns all over the US have passed bonds (translation: borrowing money) to install thousands of speed bumps, along with 3-way and 4-way stop signs, in an effort to appease neighborhood activists who want to inconvenience anyone […]
Orange County: Damage Assessment, Community Giving Fund, Criminal Justice Resource Director
Chair of the Orange County Commissioners Jamezetta Bedford spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Wednesday, July 16, discussing county news and events. She talked about on going damage assessments ahead of possible disaster declarations from the state and federal government. She talked about the Community Giving Fund, a centralized place for donations to those affected by the storm. She also discussed the promotion of a new Criminal Justice Resource Director, and more.
Orange County Sheriff's Office: Sex Offender Arrested, Charged Over Child Porn
An Orange County resident and sex offender faces several counts of sexual exploitation of a minor following an investigation by North Carolina law enforcement and Orange County Sheriff's Office.
As White Cross Firefighter Rescued Others from Chantal's Flooding, Water Damaged Her Own Home
Claudia Lima of the White Cross Fire Department lost her home in Chantal's flooding. But the first responder community stepped up to help.
›