We are a throwaway culture.

The average American generates four pounds of trash a

day! Our trash is collected and we don't consider what

becomes of it.

In our household of four,

we have reduced our household solid waste output to

between two and three kitchen-size garbage bags per week.

All that can be recycled, including cardboard and

magazines, is recycled; yard waste and non-animal kitchen

scraps are composted; and Christmas trees and brush are

chipped into mulch at the Rockaway recycling center. We

also reuse paper grocery bags until they rip or

disintegrate, much to the amusement of the grocery

clerks.

The Fayette County

Cooperative Extension Service is an excellent resource

for composting information as well as a comprehensive

listing of recycling sites for just about everything,

beyond what we ordinarily think of as being recyclable.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle should become a commonplace mantra

in every household, not just a popular slogan.

Pamela Martin

Peachtree City

[Editor's

note: Pamela Martin compiled a survey under the auspices

of the Fayette County Extension Service and Fayette Clean

and Beautiful. The survey asked about composting and

solid waste disposal habits of Fayette County residents.]

<!-------------