March 19, 2010
by Laura Rossi-Ortiz
April, 1970
Richard Nixon is President, the Beatles’ Let it Be is Number One on the Billboard charts, and across the nation, the environment is deteriorating – lakes and rivers are choked with pollution, air quality is declining and more species are rapidly becoming endangered. The conservation movement of the first half of the 20th century is about to take a giant leap forward to demand that the earth needs protection from the debilitating effects of pollution.
On April 22, 1970, 20 million Americans gather in parks and college campuses in a grassroots effort that launched the nation’s first Earth Day. It is the dawn of a new environmental movement that will lead to federal environmental laws intended to clean up the nation’s natural resources, protect endangered species and regulate harmful toxic chemicals.
April, 2010
On April 22, 2010, the nation will mark the 40th anniversary of the first Earth Day. Earth Day is premised on the belief that all people have a right to a healthy, sustainable environment. Today, more than ever, people know that with that right comes the responsibility to reduce pollution and protect the earth’s natural resources.
In New Castle, the town board has committed to reducing the town’s carbon emissions 20% by 2015. As New York State’s first Climate Smart Community, the town board has taken numerous steps to achieve the goal of 20 by 2015. It’s a goal for the entire community - you can participate too.
Start by recycling your stuff
Back in 1970 curbside recycling was a distant dream. Today, New Castle provides an extensive recycling program as part of its garbage services. All residents are encouraged to recycle as much as they can:
1. Plastics numbered 1-7. (The number typically appears within the recycling triangle on the bottom of plastic products).
2. Metals, including aluminum and tin cans, aluminum foil and empty aerosol cans.
3. Glass bottles – food bottles and jars, wine bottles, beer bottles. Caps should be removed from all bottles. They can be recycled separately. The middle schools have bins for cap recycling.
4. Newspapers and magazines.
5. Cardboard broken down no larger than 4 ft. x 4 ft.
6. Paper of any color.
7. Paint cans. Be sure the paint is dry; kitty litter will absorb leftover paint. Or you can add Waste Paint Hardener, a product commonly found at Home Depot, Lowe’s, Ace and other local hardware stores. Paint cans with dry, hardened paint can be left curbside for pick-up on recycling day. But check with the New Castle Department of Public Works before you leave a substantial amount out to be picked up.
It’s easy to recycle! Plastics, metals and glass can be commingled. Newspapers and paper can be bundled and tied, or placed in a separate paper bag. All items can be placed curbside or brought to the Recycling Center. The Recycling Center is located at 210 Hunts Lane and is open Wednesday through Saturday 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Why recycle? Recycling saves trees and land, reduces the amount of oil that is needed to manufacture plastics, reduces air pollution, reduces mining waste, saves energy and creates jobs. Every time you recycle, you are contributing to a cleaner world and a stronger economy.
Laura Rossi-Ortiz is a member of the Town’s Sustainability Advisory Board. To learn more about the New Castle’s commitment to reduce its carbon footprint, click HERE.
Copyright 2012 NewCastleNOW.org