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Earth Day has local impact |
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Tuesday, 22 April 2008 |
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Photo by Heather Tressler The tires from the tire collection that is going on this whole week to promote Earth Day which is today! By Heather Tressler Record Staff Writer
Becki Titchner, Elk County Conservation-Recycling spoke about local programs that tie closely to the National Earth Day, which is observed today.
The first Earth Day was in 1970. The day was created to promote awareness of environmental issues. For Titchner, everyday is Earth Day.
The Elk County Conservation-Recycling office has been open for 20 years. Over time, many different programs have come through the office to show the community how to recycle properly and dispose of waste in a proper manner. Throughout Elk County, there are several locations to drop off and deposit glass, bottles and papers.
There are also programs for recycling tires and electronics. The tire program began on Monday at the Ridgway Borough Fill area behind Cenni's Distributor. The tire program is in coordination with Earth Week and gives the community a chance to properly dispose of tires.
"These programs keep a lot of items from going over the bank," Titchner said. "Once they make it over the bank, it is harder to remove."
In addition to the programs mentioned, the program is used for oil as well.
"It is amazing how just a little bit of oil can contaminate a lot of water," said Titchner.
Titchner encourages people to take advantage of the programs.
"I just want everyone to take a look at all of their stuff, and if they haven't used it in the last two years, to bring it to us, and we can properly
dispose of it," she said. "Earth day is a day where people are very conscious about their actions. Being in the environmental field, I don't separate one day from the next. I think it probably gives people a little push with internet and the access to things about the environments. It gives people more of an opportunity to do good things, and people are much more aware."
Titchner thinks global warming doesn't have an immediate affect on rural Pennsylvania.
"It is a big issue, and its what we do as a society, not just locally. It is mankind who is impacting the environment. Everything is connected, and what we do really affects everything else," she said.
Titchner said because of the development of the Pennsylvania Clean-ways, littering and the environment has become much better.
"Littering used to be more of a problem until the Pennsylvania Clean-ways about eight years ago," she said. "Since Pennsylvania Clean-ways has become available, it has heightened awareness. We also have an enforcement officer on duty who pursues legal action through evidence."
Tithcner encourages people to take aware of how much trash they are producing, and how much is really needed. She also encourages people to recycle at the various programs offered by the Conservation District.
Titchner said, "just be more aware of the environment is one step in the right direction."
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 23 April 2008 )
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