Environmental Spotlight:
A Privilege and A Responsibility

By Bonnie S. Swinehart

I know that winter has arrived when each morning I park my warm cozy car, pull the keys from my ignition, and brace myself for the brisk half-mile walk to the office. And yet, as soon as I begin my journey, my heart lightens.

The crisp January wind whips across my reddened cheeks, but it feels good, even exhilarating. After all, the sun is peeking through the clouds, and the beautiful waters of the Susquehanna River are flowing under the bridge beneath me. While an occasional jogger, biker, or brave soul on roller blades passes by, I'm simply satisfied to stroll along. Why? Because I don't want to miss the clean rippling water as it flows along the waste-free shoreline. And because, I don't want to miss my own personal privilege to enjoy the clean air, clean water, and clean land that brings such joy to my morning. Nor do I want to miss the voice, that internal message, that reminds me that along with my privilege to enjoy this beauty, comes a responsibility to maintain it.

In fact, it is a privilege and a responsibility that each of us shares. And while it's true that many of us are unfamiliar with terms such as ecosystems, symbiotic relationships, and thermo-nuclear war; we are able to understand that littering our streams and land with unnecessary waste is an unhealthy assault on our environment. Luckily, with some simple, helpful information like that provided through the latest episode of GreenWorks for Pennsylvania, we realize that we are very capable of being in the loop-the recycling loop.

Premiering in the month of January is a special episode of GreenWorks which focuses specifically on the issue of recycling called, "The Recycling Loop: Buy Recycled."

The recycling episode features creative fashions and accessories made from recycled materials like bottle caps, pull-tabs, and license plates. Also featured is a new composting material called "Emerge" that is easy to use, environmentally friendly, and produces the homeowner's dream-a thick, green lawn.

Other interesting topics on January's show can help viewers to learn more about buying recycled. So remember to tune in.

Hope you enjoy the show!