To the Editor:
This is in response to an article appearing in the Feb. 19th issue of the Daily Sun. The letter is being submitted here because, based on past experience, the Daily Sun would never print it. Nevertheless, it’s important to share this information with the community.
The article, titled “Recycling 1 More Way Villagers Care for our Community,” praises the efforts of residents to make The Villages greener. That’s a good thing. But The Villages, as an entity, is doing virtually nothing when it comes to recycling. We must be the largest community in Florida that provides no recycling bins in any of its public areas – not at the Town Squares, not at the Recreation Centers, not at the Softball Complex, not at the postal stations, not at any public location.
If The Villages is concerned that recycling bins detract from a visually pleasant environment, they have their priorities screwed up and aren’t keeping up with the latest in recycling technology. Companies now make bins where artwork (perhaps from local school students) or advertising (local shops and restaurants) could be displayed. Solar energy is used to compact trash and alert the servicing company when it’s time to for a pick up.
The Villages cannot claim to be a green community or environmental stewards when they are doing nothing in the area of recycling. Oh, and here’s an interesting question. What happens to all that construction waste?
Praising residents for their recycling efforts while doing nothing themselves is a disconnect that is both illogical and disingenuous. The Villages should be providing a model of environmental citizenship and they are not.
Marsha Shearer
Village of Belle Aire