I have lived in this state for three years now, and I am still surprised at the lack of environmental concern here. Utah has beautiful natural resources, and tourism accounts for a large amount of the state's income. The ski resorts, national parks, lakes, mountains and other natural attractions serve as a large part of our economy. Most people in this state enjoy what we have and consider it a plus to living here, so people obviously care about the environment.
But how much attention is being paid to protecting what we have? My concern is not the overdevelopment in building up the hillsides. What I suggest should be given some thought is individual recycling in homes and businesses.In many states throughout the country there is a box next to every garbage can for paper to be recycled. Furthermore, every house has a plastic bin to be filled with recyclable items and put alongside the garbage. In Salt Lake County, unincorporated areas and areas where people have not paid the county specifically for their garbage, people cannot recycle a cardboard box, plastic bag, paper bag, tin can, or even a newspaper.
Instead of heaping garbage cans each week, why not have a half-full one with the remainder of the items going to be reused? What would it take to get every household in Utah recycling their used items? It would take people who care enough to keep our state clean.
Stacey Shaw
Salt Lake City