MOM’s Organic Market’s ER Blog

…get with the program. Ever since I’ve lived in this area, I’ve been urked about the lack of recycling in and around the DC area. Sure, some businesses and homes recycle, but not all. In fact, a lot of people I’ve talked to who live in apartment or condiminium complexes say that recycling is not available to them. I don’t know if you have ever had the pleasure (?) of walking around downtown or have even attended any of the numerous concert pavilions around the DC area, but you’ll rarely find a recycling bin. On every corner, and in between, you’ll find a street vendor selling hotdogs, sodas, water, etc., and on every street corner you will find a trash can loaded to the brim with the discarded bottles.

I’ve tried to look at the bright side to this, but I don’t see one. What I see is a) perfectly good recyclable materials going into the trash b) overflowing trash cans that spill into the roads and gutters and finally c) DC is home of the EPA and capital to the nation and we don’t know how to recycle?!?!

When will DC and surrounding areas turn this around and lead by example?

Last night I was sitting up on my rooftop watching the fireworks show from DC, and in between the “oooohhhhhs” and “aaaahhhhhhhs”, I thought about the smoke that was filling the air and the debris that will ultimately be left behind. I know… it does take some of the fun out of the watching experience, but really, how can I ignore it? And then I thought about the fact that a similar show is happening in every city throughout the states, with people setting off their own show from their back yard. This happens year after year, and year after year I think the same thing.

Fireworks and their effect on the environment isn’t a widely discussed topic, and I think partially because it is normally a once or twice a year thing. The fact of the matter is that fireworks are typically propelled by the ignition of gunpowder and can produce smoke and dust that contains various heavy metals, sulfur-coal compounds and other noxious chemicals. Different elements are used to produce the magnificent colors that we see bursting before us. Barium = Green. Copper = Blue. etc. All this stuff in the air basically causes a fall out of toxic pollution into the environment, waterways and even our lungs, and is probably in violation of the Clean Air Act.

SO, I suppose the question is: at what point do we change the American way and find a friendlier way to celebrate? Why aren’t fireworks discussed more?