How to Reduce Reliance on Landfills

In response to Howard C. Lockwood’s letter regarding the new fees being imposed by the city of Los Angeles for residents who put out more than two rubbish cans per week, we need to realize that trash service is like any other utility--water, electricity, natural gas, etc.

Those who use the most should pay the most.

Although we have a third of an acre of land, our family puts out less than one can per week, and we should not have to pay the same collection fees as those who put out many more.

For years, we have avoided confronting the real causes of dwindling landfill space--our own wasteful garbage habits. Trash does not just “go away.”

“Away” for us in the North Valley is practically in our back yard, as we have three large landfills located very close to our residential neighborhoods.

To reduce our reliance on landfills, we need to follow the new priorities of “reduce, reuse and recycle.” For Lockwood, this would mean composting his horse manure and yard trimmings. There are many good systems available, and L.A. city sanitation will give him advice.

For years, many of us have been practicing recycling, back yard composting and source reduction--avoiding unnecessary packaging, bringing our own bags to stores, buying durable goods and repairing items rather than throwing them out.

For others, however, financial disincentives, such as charging more for more trash, are the only methods that will change their habits.

Five years from now, composting and source reduction procedures will be a familiar part of our lives. The more we begin to practice these methods now, the less regulation we’ll have to endure in the future.

CAROLYN GREENE, Arleta