I have been called it all, a hippie, an environmentalist, a liberal, even a tree hugger. Call me anything. The truth is, I love this planet!I like watching gophers play in the grass, squirrels hunt in my yard, white clouds move across blue skies, deer run through fields. Basically, I like nature. It entertains me, but most importantly, I have it to thank for my life.Here in Minnesota, we have an abundance of nature and land. In fact, we have so much that many take it for granted. We are lucky.Many cities around the world continue expanding their borders without limits, diminishing their resources and access to nature. With expanding borders come more industry and waste.Traffic in these cities creates ozone watch days, preventing children and the elderly from enjoying the outdoors. There were many days during Texas falls and springs where recess would be held in the gym, not because of snow, but because the air was unfit for children to breathe.Strip malls and giant retail centers are buying up farm land to create suburban living. Animals are being displaced and the air and water we need to live are being jeopardized.Just because we do not have these problems in Beaver Creek, Steen or Hills does not mean they do not affect us.Humans have struggled to find ways of protecting our resources and the beauty our planet has to offer.When Earth Day was created 35 years ago, it was done to promote awareness of activities that protect our environment. Earth Day is the only event the entire planet celebrates simultaneously by people of all backgrounds, religions and nationalities.It is easy for me to type these words, but it takes considerably more effort to actually live by them.Rock County Waste Management offers several ways for county residents to minimize the amount of waste we produce.RCWM offers four "waste watch" tips in their 2003 Rock County Solid and Hazardous Waste Disposal Guide.üReduce the amount, or the toxicity, of trash generated.üReuse items as often as possible.üRecycling conserves natural resources, energy and landfill space and it reduces water and air pollution.üBuy recycled products. To make recycling work, consumers need to buy products made from recycled materials.Residents in Beaver Creek, Steen and Hills are offered the following recycling options through RCWM. Products intended for recycling should be placed in the bins labeled "paper" and "plastic" and set curbside.üNewspapers, phone books, fiber egg cartons, junk mail, envelopes, writing paper, computer and copy paper, can be placed in the paper recycling bin.üMagazines and catalogs can be bundled up and placed on top of the paper projects mentioned in the previous bullet.üCorrugated cardboard and paper bags can be broken down and placed next to recycling bins on recycling day.üPlastic containers coded with No. 1, No. 2 or No. 3 inside the recycling symbol can be consolidated into the bin labeled plastic.üTin/steel cans and aluminum cans are accepted and can be mixed with plastic products in the plastic bin. The ends of the cans are acceptable as well.In order to increase the chances that your recycling products actually get recycled, it is necessary to follow a few guidelines.üPaper products should be free of paper clips, fasteners, rubber bands and carbon paper.üNo glass products are accepted; therefore any glass mixed with recycling will be thrown out.üWaxed packaging, such as pop and beer cartons, are not accepted. The treatments that give the cartons ‘wet-strength’ often cause problems in the recycling process at the factory.If residents take these steps and teach their children that it is important to conserve rather than waste, perhaps future generations will still have the ability to go fishing, hiking and drink fresh water.