Beautifying while biking recommended

To the editor:

This summer, while riding my bicycle around town, I?ve been stopping to pick up cans and bottles discarded by the roadside. I?ve probably recycled a bushel of them, and I tend to ride on the same few streets (D, North B, East Fillmore, East Madison and South Main streets). Had I bothered with cigarette packs, Styrofoam, paper products, rags, etc., it would have taken me hours to get across town, but if bottles and cans become scarce, perhaps I?ll start in on those. That seems unlikely though, as they?re constantly replenished. I haven?t been picking up stuff on private property next to the road. I don?t want to trespass, and people will probably get it when they cut their grass.

Judging from what most of the cans and bottles once contained, I won?t bother to ask those who have been discarding them to stop doing so. People who are oblivious to the damage they are inflicting on their own bodies probably can?t be expected to care about trashing the environment. So with regard to them, I?ll say, ?Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do?, and appeal instead to the rest of us.

Perhaps you have a basket or side bag on your bike, or you could carry a bag when you take a walk. Probably many of you have been doing this already, but if enough of us were to start doing it, our town would be significantly beautified. Thanks.

? Rick Archer, Fairfield