Article April 12, 1999 Issue

Love, not guilt, improves the environment

What are you doing this Earth Day?

By Curtis J. Wahlberg

When I Was in college, recycling for the building was one of the projects the departmental student organization was pursuing. Since recycling had become important to me and I was a member of the group, I was very committed to this activity. I felt that my efforts would, in a small way, help our community and the world.

The frustrating part of the work was that people often did not cooperate. They put trash in with the bottles, and they threw empty cans or half-full cans of soda in with the paper. At the same time, the trash barrel would be full of recyclables.

My reaction to this lack of cooperation was to think of others as apathetic or lazy, and my communication with them was aimed at making them feel guilty for not helping. Soon it became clear that this approach wasn't working. Experience showed me then and is showing me now that love is much more effective.

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