Are American's Hypocrirtes when it comes to Recycling?

 

Americans complain about recycling, but in reality are we nothing more than hypocrites because we haven't done enough to combat the waste management issue we face? Let's take a moment to appreciate Singapore for setting a great example when it comes to managing waste. While other countries in Southeast Asia are struggling with piles of plastic and trash, Singapore is keeping its streets and beaches clean and providing its citizens with clean air and clean electricity.

With almost all non-recyclable waste being incinerated and properly managed, Singapore is leading the way in waste management. It's inspiring to see how they are taking steps to keep their environment clean and beautiful.

Let's all do our part in reducing waste and taking care of our planet. Together, we can make a difference!  Unfortunately, the United States is falling way behind in its waste management responsibilities.

It looks like we're facing a bit of a time crunch with our waste disposal solution. Plastics are the biggest contributor to our waste issue, with a whopping 763,400 tons disposed of last year and only 6% recycled. The amount of plastic waste generated per person has gone up by nearly 20% in the last 15 years, with each person tossing out an average of 13 bags a day.

 Let's join forces to combat the plastic pollution crisis! Together, we can make a difference by reducing waste and adopting sustainable practices.  

It's time for the government to act and implement policies to tackle single-use plastics. Experts say that our environment is at stake, and we need to protect it for future generations. Then why hasn’t the United States taken the lead in producing recycling facilities like Singapore and helping produce clean energy while recycling our waste? Apparently, we don’t have the technology or even the engineering skills to produce a waste management system like Singapore and Dubai have created.

 The NEA has acknowledged the need for long-term solutions to manage waste and extend the lifespan of our landfills. Recycling efforts have been crucial in curbing the amount of trash incinerated, but more can be done.

While Southeast Asia faces a pressing issue with plastic pollution, exacerbated by China's waste import ban, the United States is in the same boat. Our landfills are overflowing and we can’t afford to ship our waste to other countries to discard the waste. The recent tragic incident of a whale with plastic in its stomach serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for change.

While Singapore and Dubai are taking a proactive stance on climate action the rest of the world is not helping combat this issue. Let's work together towards a sustainable future! But climate groups have urged governments of the wealthy city-state, which enjoys broad support from its electorate, to spend more political capital on tackling waste in a convenience culture where deliveries and take-out meals are common.

Elizabeth Kilbride is a Writer and Editor with forty years of experience in writing with 12 of those years in the online content sphere. Author of 5 books and a Graduate with an Associate of Arts from Pheonix University in Business Management, then a degree in Mass Communication and Cyber Analysis from Phoenix University, then on to Walden University for her master’s in criminology with emphasis on Cybercrime and Identity Theft and is currently studying for her Ph.D. degree in Criminology, her work portfolio includes coverage of politics, current affairs, elections, history, and true crime. In her spare time, Elizabeth is also a gourmet cook, life coach, and avid artist, proficient in watercolor, acrylic, pen and ink, Gouache, and pastels. As a political operative having worked on over 300 campaigns during her career, Elizabeth has turned many life events into books and movie scripts while using history to weave interesting storylines. She also runs 6 blogs that range from art to life coaching, to food, to writing, and opinion or history pieces each week. 

 

 

A Legacy Forgotten

At one time in this country, American mothers birthed men who were courageous, caring, compassionate and protective. Many of those men grew up to be successful businessmen who made millions; industry barons, bankers and corporate moguls. With their much earned success, not only did they take care of their families and businesses, these same men turned into philanthropists helping their community prosper.

While they built businesses, they helped to build libraries, schools, museums and community parks. In their travels, they meet other like minded businessmen and began corresponding with their counterparts in major cities. As they learned new techniques to grow their business, they learned about people in need of assistance. When these men heard of someone in need they reached out and sent them letters of encouragement along with a little financial help.

Every American identifies with the big names of Carnegie, Morgan, Rockefeller and others, all of whom built empires, but they aren’t remembered for their companies, instead they’re remembered for giving millions of dollars to charities across America. None of these men gave because they had compassionate hearts; they gave because they loved to read their name in the paper, after all their lives were played out on the front pages of the morning news. This was especially the case after giving to charities.

Since the beginning of American history there have been many such men, who have given to others out of compassion in their heart. Many of our founding fathers were philanthropists in their day, not because they were seeking fame, but because it was the way they were raised.

One such man hailed from Ohio. Thomas Corwin was known as the “Wagon Boy” under General William Henry Harrison during the War of 1812. Although Corwin was born in Kentucky, he was raised in a sleepy little town called Lebanon, Ohio. After the war, Corwin went on to become a lawyer and became known as the lawyer with a big heart throughout the Ohio valley, a heart filled with compassion for his fellow human beings.

Thomas Corwin

He was an eloquent orator and a successful lawyer with a great sense of humor. His sense of justice and compassion lead him into politics, first serving as a member of the Ohio State Legislature, then the U.S. House of Representatives. In 1840, Corwin campaigned for and won the Governor seat, serving only one term. He returned to Washington, DC, this time as Senator and became known as the most vocal Senator to oppose the Mexican-American War. That opposition would later land him the position of Minister of Mexico.

Corwin was best known for his famous quote describing his fellow politicians: “The world has a contempt for the man who amuses it. You must be solemn, solemn as an ass. All the great monuments on earth have been erected over the graves of solemn asses.” Maybe modern day politicians should read Corwin’s words, because they seem to still apply to many on Capitol Hill today.

After President Taylor’s death, Corwin resigned from the Senate and became the Secretary of Treasury under President Fillmore. A man of strong convictions, Corwin was a staunch supporter of those who worked within industry throughout the United States of America. When Congress wanted to make drastic changes and modifications to the 1846 Free Trade Tariff Law, Corwin’s protective nature shown through when he objected to the provision that would charge the manufacturing industry a higher tax on imported raw materials. He stuck to his principles when he stated to Congress in 1849 “such provisions certainly take from the manufacturer and artisan that encouragement which the present law was intended to afford”. Even back then, Corwin could see that by over taxing our manufacturing industry it would eventually destroy productivity throughout America.

Frustrated with the inept representation in Congress, Corwin left Treasury and returned to Ohio, only to return to Washington in 1859 as a newly elected Congressional Representative. He continued to serve until 1861. After Abraham Lincoln was inaugurated Corwin resigned his position on Capitol Hill and become the new Minister of Mexico. As Minister of Mexico he was responsible for keeping the peace between the two countries during the Civil War.

No matter what position Corwin held throughout his life, he remained consistent to his roots - taking care of others. As a lawyer, he defended those who needed defending. As a politician, he protected the rights given to all Americans under the Constitution. As Secretary of Treasury, he protected those within the manufacturing industry from being taxed beyond their means of producing goods to be sold at a fair price both at home and around the world. As Minister of Mexico he kept things friendly between our two countries during a war.

But the most important action he took throughout his lifetime should be the legacy remembered of this one man. Throughout his career Corwin wrote letters of encouragement to those he learned were going through a rough time. It is not known how he learned about their plight, but he felt their pain and wanted to help them by lifting their spirit just a little. Each person received a hand written letter that contained encouraging words and a five dollar bill. Thomas Corwin, a simple lawyer from a sleepy little town in the valley of Ohio touched many lives with his generous heart and compassionate ways. Men like Thomas Corwin have gone to their grave with a smile, knowing they were raised to watch over their fellow Americans. It was people like him who helped make this country prosper and become great because they gave of themselves when they heard of someone down on their luck and hurting.

The philanthropy world has changed over the last one hundred years. Men like Thomas Corwin don’t exist anymore. Millionaires of today don’t seem to have a heart, maybe because they’re more interested in giving to those in another country, rather than helping their fellow Americans who have fallen on hard times. They aren’t interested in reaching out with encouraging words to lift the spirits of someone in need. America needs more men like Thomas Corwin, who were born from mothers who taught their children to have courage, compassion and love for their fellow Americans in need. We need mothers to teach their children American Values so they will respect each other once again in order to protect America and its citizens. We need mothers to teach their children to help those within their community who need food, shelter and jobs, before helping those in another country. By taking care of those here at home first, we can build a stronger community and a more powerful nation that has compassion and courage with a commitment to freedom and prosperity.