Plastic bags and recycling

The issue of plastic bags and garbage blowing out of the landfill has been an ongoing problem from its creation, and a timely subject since Earth Day is April 22. As my husband owned land adjacent to the landfill, we were continually picking up garbage, mostly plastic, from the property and fence lines. Checking cattle one day we discovered a calf nearly dead from trying to ingest a plastic grocery bag sticking partly out of his mouth. Plastic is toxic to cattle, every other type of animal, bird, and fish because of its chemical composition and inability to be properly digested.

Commissioner Mark Peterson discussed ideas on how to handle the problem of contamination on the landscape, ensuring people cover loads, hiring more personnel, taller fences, tying knots in bags, talking to the bigger stores about plastic bags, or potentially, banning plastic bags altogether.

Banning plastic bags would be the ideal scenario. Eight states have plastic bag bans in effect, it is not a new concept. This type of legislation or local reform takes commitment and support from the public.

In the meantime, here is what you, as a consumer can do to help reduce the problems:

• Contact your local recycling organization, Recycle Hi-Line at http://recyclehiline.org or on Facebook to see what or where you can recycle. Check Recycle Montana’s website, http://recyclemontana.org for the where to and what to recycle list — it is comprehensive for the entire state.

• Cover your loads going to the landfill or secure items that can become air-born.

• Use reusable grocery bags — you can buy them anywhere and they are cheap. Remember to put them back in your car when you have unloaded them.

• Refuse plastic bags — if you forget your reusable bags, get paper — it is compostable. Don’t get a bag for items you can hand-carry.

• Walmart has bins at the front of their store to recycle plastic bags.

• And for the county commissioners — promote recycling in your county. Educate people about what can be kept out of the landfill, how reduction of material extends the life of the landfill and saves taxpayers money. Help build awareness — Facebook, your website, newspaper articles, radio, signage at the landfill. Become a partner with your local and state recycling organizations. Be proactive rather than responsive.

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Candi Zion is one of the founders of Recycle Hi-Line and chair of Recycle Montana