Recycling in the city

Little Rock has always had a reputation of beautiful sights. People visit from all over to see how beautiful and natural our city is. This is truly what Little Rock is known for, but we have a serious problem that could change that.

Curbside recycling is extremely limited in the acceptance of types of recycling. We are told that some items aren’t recyclable, even though in other cities they don’t even hesitate to take these items. In my opinion, the decision to not allow these materials into recycling facilities is extremely selfish and shortsighted. The whole point of having a recycling program in our city is to stop pollution. How are we supposed to recycle effectively when every time we go to recycle something we have to seriously examine the item just to see if it is one of the very few items they will take? This is coming from the viewpoint of my average middle-class family that struggles with this issue. Imagine how all of the people with much larger problems are supposed to deal with this.

Curbside recycling is not the only option. People who will take the time can drop off their recycling at different locations; however, there is a huge lack of centrally located recycling dropoff locations in this city. If we as a community want to fix this issue, then we need more dropoff locations, with more accepted items. Waste Management has clearly failed to do its one and only job, so it is time for this city and this community to show that we don’t need it.

I love the many natural and amazing places in our city, but without a good recycling program, there may not be much left to love. CHRISTIAN DIXON Little Rock