We just returned from the midwest, which was just fine and everything. It was Illinois, true to form. One element of it stuck into my soul like a dagger. Sure, I'm spoiled, we live in a progressive city with a very elaborate recycling program. Portland has even just implemented city-wide composting. The fact is that no one we visited in Illinois recycled. I had to consume bottles of water to survive. I was left with the decision to either tote our recyclables around until we found a way to recycle them, or throw them in the trash. What did I do? I threw them in the trash. We had lots of luggage that we were toting every day plus a child. I now regret my decision to submit. The fact is that recycling is so far from convenient that the people don't consider it. Nothing's in it for them. The midwest is full of huge consumers, with so very few of them recycling. There needs to be a movement. There needs to be funding, education, and incentive. This is such bullshit.
