Don't Shoot Rocky Raccoon

As odd as it may sound, it is rather uplifting to go to the dump. Seeing townspeople going from bin to bin to dispose of recyclables they have sorted meticulously renews a little faith in the human race. Yes, it's painstaking to separate garbage among multiple trash cans at home or work, where one used to suffice, but for the most part people have shown a willingness to be a little inconvenienced for the public good.

If only certain of our elected officials showed as much public-spiritedness. Instead, shortsighted and regressive attitudes toward recycling have surfaced among some members of the East Hampton Town Board, as evidenced by comments and actions at recent meetings.

For example, Councilman Len Bernard recently said that educating the public about recycling was not "important at this particular point in time." He made this comment in connection with a Republican plan to save money by eliminating the position of recycling coordinator, which the G.O.P majority deemed "not essential." In addition, the majority on the board has left six positions in the Sanitation Department vacant to save money. Those six jobs would make it possible for the town to bale its recyclables and, in turn, to receive more money for them. Without the extra workers, the town is baling only cardboard, and perhaps not all of that.

The Republican members of the board also have proposed closing the dump one day a week as a cost-saving measure, which will be a great inconvenience to many homeowners and businesses, and probably encourage illegal dumping. Moreover, they have rebuffed suggestions that a separate hearing be held to get public reaction to this proposal, saying a Nov. 1 hearing on next year's town budget should suffice. So be it. Anyone with a commitment to recycling, seven days a week, should take that opportunity to speak up.

Garbage is more than just a dollars-and-cents issue. We certainly should strive to make our waste disposal operation as efficient and cost-effective as possible - but not at the expense of the overall goal of recycling as much of our garbage as possible -and of making the whole recycling and composting plan self-sustaining eventually.

Instead of seeking out competitive prices for our recyclables, and stockpiling them when the market is low, the Republicans are increasing the town's dependence on carters. Those carters are hauling more and more of our trash to privately owned recycling plants elsewhere, when market prices make it profitable to recycle, or to out-of-town incinerators and out-of-state landfills when it does not.

East Hampton has, truckload by truckload, begun abdicating its responsibility and self-determination. But, even when it costs more, recycling should take precedence. As Michael Haran, the town budget officer, pointed out in a discussion of whether or not to bale paper, "So it costs you $7 a ton to do the right thing."

The economics of recycling is like an emerging market of an Eastern European country - it's a new system that needs time to eliminate the kinks, reach maturity, and gain wide acceptance. Unfortunately, since taking over the majority on the Town Board, the Republicans have sought quick remedies to contain costs that may turn out to have the opposite effect.

East Hampton prides itself as being in the vanguard on environmental issues. The solid waste management plan was adopted in that tradition, and deserves bipartisan support even if some bugs have been found in it.

Let's not fall to the back of the pack now. We should be figuring out how to raise compliance with recycling, which Mr. Garnham estimated at only 37 percent, and how to get the full cooperation of carters.

If instead we follow the lead of Mr. Bernard and company, we won't need cute little recycling mascots like Rocky Raccoon reminding us to recycle. Instead, our new mascot could be an ostrich, as our leaders stick their heads in the sand.