Moose Jaw is not a very progressive city when it comes to recycling. True, there are private companies servicing the recycling needs of many residents locally, and there is of course SARCAN, as well as the municipal recycling drop-off bins at either Pla-Mor Palace or the Civic Centre (the latter of which will be relocated in the near-foreseeable future).
However, the City of Moose Jaw does not as of yet offer a curbside recycling program and, until it does, the Friendly City really can’t claim to be the environmentally-friendly city on par with communities such as Saskatoon, who’s city council approved a plan for curbside service in April. Curbside recycling is also scheduled to begin in Regina in 2013.
If Moose Jaw is serious about reducing waste in the landfill, and diminishing its residential impact on Mother Earth, then the municipal governance is going to have to take a lead in making recycling as convenient and straightforward as possible. Curbside recycling really is the only way to minimize overuse of the landfill.
Unfortunately, humans are simultaneously rational and completely illogical. Most people might realize their impact on the environment is rapidly reaching an impasse. The future of the human race on this planet is in question. Governments, businesses, other organizations and, most importantly, the will of individuals must find a common ground and work towards a common goal of protecting the fragile biodiversity and geological/atmospheric integrity that keeps us all alive.
While most people realize this environmental necessity in a broad sense, most people also fail to make the intellectual connection between their own actions and the environmental situation on a global scale.
That is why governments must take the lead when it comes to instigating policies and programs that will encourage better stewardship of the planet.
If the City of Moose Jaw is truly concerned about the community’s impact on the environment, then it must make recycling so easy for its residents, that recycling material is as quick and simple as throwing those same materials in the trash. Curbside recycling is a means towards achieving this end.
Hopefully, the city does adopt a curbside recycling program. Hopefully, that program instills a greater sense of ‘green’ responsibility in the hearts and minds of all Moose Javians. Hopefully, one day Moose Jaw can call itself a leader when it comes to recycling.
All Times-Herald editorials are written by the editorial staff.
