A Beseeching Request On Behalf of the Trees

I actually wrote this quite a few years ago, but I still feel it applies today.

Recently, while on a trip up north in the beautiful wooded wilderness, the “naturalist” came out in me and thought, “Why aren’t there recycling bins in hotel and motels?  The enormous amount of things thrown away that could cleanly, and easily, go into recycling bins is a tragedy that could be avoided.  The “thrifty” aspect of me, thought, “Towns, Cities, Villages, and the like, make money on recycling, (so also, can individuals,) so why is this not common practice?

While having tea with my son at our favorite hang out today, he said to me, “I have talked to the manager so many times about recycling the cardboard wrappers they put on hot cups, and they never do it.”  It was very disheartening to him to know that the simple act of putting out a bin or a box seems to be more than they are willing to do. (As you can see, the apple does not fall far from the tree!) We discussed going somewhere that would put out bins, as a form of protest, but he stated he has tried at various places all over town, to get them to do this one simple thing; “Think of all the trees it would save,” he said. 

So, on behalf of the trees, I am imploring all who read this to spread the word, and ask everyone you know who frequents coffee shops, hotels, motels, and anywhere that there are recyclable cups, sleeves, paper, whatever comes from our trees, to just place a unobtrusive bin or box near the garbage can, with a note to drop those items there for recycling. 

Then, if they do it, tell everyone!  Notify your local paper, and spread the word among your friends and colleagues, give that business positive publicity, then others will see there are far reaching benefits to taking care of the environment; that one small act that takes only a few seconds, can have long-term positive results in more ways then one.

Think of all a tree gives us; beauty, a house for birds and critters, oxygen, shade, they can absorb excess water than can damage, the list goes on, and on.  So, instead of leaving garbage in our wake, let us be like the trees, and leave something positive; and the next time you take a breath, thank a tree. 

©Marie Boyum

4-8-11