[at-l] Recycling near the AT...

["Nyce, Greg" <GNYCE@wcupa.edu>]

Greetings - The last couple years i've been fortunate enough to be able to
realize that my trips have been "totally green" and THAT is often *not* a
trivial matter away from one's familiar "stompin' grounds".  My definition
of "Totally Green" is ***ALL*** glass bottles, aluminum and tin cans,
plastic containers #1/2, and unsoiled paper are recycled properly -
absolutely nothing is "littered" - and otherwise advisable environmentally
conscience considerations are "the rule".

Here's my short list of recycling options near the AT...

SW Virginia recycling centers - Washington (?) (west of Mt Rogers along one
of those 6## roads connecting Rt 16 with Rt58), 
                   Dickey Ridge (Rt 16 west of Hurricane Mt toward Sugar
Grove) and Marion (East on Rt 16) - others too i'm sure... 
                   m-f and sat - business hours - closed holidays - most
recyclable items
        Also Mt Rogers Ranger station - Rt 16 and I81 rest stops (alum cans)


Peaks of Otter - glass and alum cans at campground entrance - alum cans at
the store and gas station

Shenandoah NP - alum cans at some pull-offs along Skyline Drive
                           Glass and plastic #1/2  at Loft Mt and Big Meadow
Campgrounds

Maryland - most items at some parking lots in *some* shopping centers

PA - alum cans at Interstate rest areas ( i separate states into those who
"do" and those that "don't" do this)

Vermont - State Park Campgrounds - most items

New Hampshire - Jigger Johnson and i'd assume most WMNF campgrounds (glass
and alum)
        Pinkam Notch - AMC Visitor Center downstairs
        Moosebrook state park campground - tho its been a few years since i
was there

then there's always the "bring it home" option which "sometimes" can work
"depending..."
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...Bottle and can deposits, while well intentioned, have some significant
inherent problems...
- The type of "trash" that ever would litter are unlikely to be swayed by
"small change".
- Worse yet is giving "these dirtbags" any excuse for a misguided
rationalization that littering is in any way an act of altruism.
... or to think that "tossing the bottle" in any way indicates that they are
in an economic class above the "other individuals" that they so carelessly
"assume" will regard their disgusting litter as an ongoing financial bonanza
and somehow "right the wrong"
- an inappropriately "tossed" glass bottle is a type of land mine - i've had
to change tires at 2am :-(
- broken glass is "nobody's friend" and very difficult to remove
- involving money complicates what really is an issue of  "proper disposal"
and "environmental conscience"

More productive, perhaps, would be to make recycling and garbage disposal
much more accessible and convenient than it currently is.
Reverse the current trend of "no disposal facilities here" and expand
current ones to encourage separation of recyclable items.
Keep in mind that environmental considerations also include "minimization of
eyesores" (nose and ear "affronts" too) so there is an added challenge of
making disposal facilities readily accessible yet reasonably discrete.

More difficult but also crucial is to increase public awareness - something
along the lines of WHY short change oneself of the joy of "Being the Best
that one can Be" and how there are few things easier or "more telling" than
how one disposes of their trash and "treats their environment".  Help some
people better understand that this IS what they "want to do" and why...
somehow create a public mindset that recycling and environmental
considerations are "cool" - littering  "absolutely unthinkable" and "totally
inexcusable" !!!

i'm sure there's "tons more" recycling opportunities near my "off-work"
haunt (i.e. the AT) - i'd be happy to hear of any...

                         Happy Trails,
                                            - Running Bear - Downingtown, PA
- gnyce@wcupa.edu






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