ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, October 7, 1996 TAG: 9610070125
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: BEN BEAGLE
SOURCE: BEN BEAGLE
I came back from the recycling bins with a heavy heart. There was a sign there that said the place is being watched by a video camera.
I guess this is what the country has come to: Surveillance on what would have been called a trash dump a few years ago.
I know there are lawless people out there who break the rules and laugh when they put green glass in the wrong hole.
I've seen them put pasteboard boxes in with the newspapers. I've seen them get rid of illegal plastic.
I've seen what appeared to be the weekly trash for a family of four just dumped on the ground.
You know who you are. You also throw those plastic grocery bags in with the clear plastic instead of taking them to the big barrel at the supermarket.
I think these bags are a hazard to proper civilization, but we've got them and we've got to recycle them or we'll all be suffocated one of these days.
You can't get any more dedicated to recycling than I am. I've crushed enough aluminum cans to know a thing or two about the pain of trying to save the country from ecological ruin.
I've thrown enough Old Forester bottles into the clear-glass hole to qualify as a great American.
I like for people to obey the rules the same as anybody else.
Still, a video camera at the recycling place worries me.
For one thing, it tempts me to break into a buck and wing and smile into the camera.
For another, I wonder what you do with someone caught doing the wrong thing. Is that disorderly conduct? Littering? Do the Recycling Police come and read you your rights?
I know of no law that makes throwing stuff in the wrong hole a crime. On the other hand, a person my age who does a buck and wing in public probably is guilty of disturbing the peace under current law.
The main harm here to recycling, however, will be that women, knowing there is a camera around, are going to get facials and other treatments before bringing in as much as a sack of Schlitz cans. This will get expensive and discouraging and the movement will suffer.
To make the above a little less sexist, let me admit that I've been shaving and putting on my stunning white GMC cap before I go down there. I also try to hold my stomach in as much as possible.
I'll continue to do my duty - camera or no camera. Even if it means getting busted for doing the Funky Chicken in public.
LENGTH: Medium: 52 linesby CNB