The last two decades have seen a dramatic turnaround in the way Americans approach environmental issues, particularly recycling. Earth Day events, school programs and disasters such as Chernobyl and the Exxon Valdez oil spill have changed the way we see the world and our place in it.
Recycling is one of the easiest ways for regular folks to do something to help save the Earth.
You don't have to be a Greenpeace member to take the simple step of separating recyclables from garbage at home. That kind of recycling is so easily done, in fact, that it appears most people do it. So it may seem odd that New York state steps in and mandates a deposit fee on certain cans and bottles to ensure they're recycled. Although folks are supposed to separate their garbage and recyclables at home, and although trash haulers are then supposed to keep the items separate and make sure they get to the right place, it would be tough to prove that recyclable materials aren't occasionally making their way into landfills. So, state Attorney General Eliot Spitzer has proposed adding a deposit fee for juice, water and sports drink bottles and widening the system that has done such a great job of getting people to recycle soda and beer containers.