"Go green!" These are the words being shouted by environmentally concerned citizens all over the world. We as a society are facing an ever-growing problem: the over consumption of materials. We are using and disposing of waste faster than we can find room to put it. There is, however, a solution. We can stop squandering and start saving. With full cooperation from consumers, we can stop wasting, start recycling, and truly "go green."

Who says recycling isn't an issue? America is quickly running out of places to stash its trash. After all, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, an average American produces approximately 4.5 pounds of garbage every day. Where does it all go? Some trash is incinerated, but far more is sent to landfills, where it sits for years and years, decomposing while America piles more and more on top. Is it hopeless? Of course not, because the consumer can help.

The first thing that the public needs to understand is how easy it is to recycle. We see the "blue bins" all over the community, so why not use them? To toss papers into the recycling bin is such a simple act, yet it yields amazing results. A paper saved is a paper earned. Citizens need to recognized that they can lead the campaign by committing to recycling in their everyday lives.

Beside our trash bins at home or the office, why not put a separate receptacle solely for recyclable materials? If we use ten papers a day, and recycle those papers rather than throwing them away, we will have saved over 300 papers from an early demise in only one month. Now, multiply that number by a community of thousands of people. Literally tons of paper will be prevented from going to the dump, and instead be sent to a paper mill where it will be remade into fresh paper products. And it was all possible because the citizen thought he could play a part, however small, in recycling. So you see, it is the individuals who really do make a difference when you look at the bigger picture.

What can students do to promote recycling? Spread the word! If the people can see the effect of recycling as opposed to wasting, they will have the incentive to participate. The importance of recycling must be established at a young age. We can't just teach children to recycle; we have to teach them why to recycle. They must understand what they are doing when they put their used materials into the recycling bin. It all must start in the school. Have high school students come into elementary schools and give a talk about recycling. Have students make videos about saving and conserving for the better of the environment. If students understand that we are sharing this land, then they will understand the importance of keeping the world clean for the next generation of recyclers.

The Recycling movement can be summed up in three words: Educate, Communicate, Participate. First, citizens must understand what recycling does for the environment. Educate. Next, they must inform others about the effect of recycling. Communicate. Finally, they must take action and recycle in their everyday lives. We need Americans to participate in recycling. Only when we recognize that the earth needs us to stop wasting and start recycling, can we truly "Go green."