None: the following was written to King County Executive Dow Constantine and submitted to the paper for publication.

I recently learned that recycling options at the Enumclaw transfer station will be eliminated on Feb. 1, 2012. I understand that this is a cost-cutting measure, but I really do not understand it fully.

I visit the Enumclaw transfer station about once a month, sometimes on weekdays and sometimes on weekends. The recycling bins get a lot of activity and are often filled.

It seems that the decision makers have assumed that the only reason people use the recycling options is because it is free, but that is not really my primary motive for recycling.

I first heard of this a few weeks ago and it is really bothering me more than most governmental decisions I am made aware of. Every time I have to put a newspaper, aluminum can or plastic bottle into my regular trash container instead of separating for recycling, I can’t help but think of the tons of recyclable material that will now be going into the landfills.

Here in the great Northwest where we pride ourselves on being “green” I really do not understand. It is not an option to drive 16 miles to do my recycling (that’s the closest option). That also seems to be counter-green.

Is it possible to consider the option of pay for recycling? I’d gladly pay the extra couple of bucks or so to be able to do this.

Please reconsider this decision in light of other possible alternatives.

Please help us reduce the volume going into landfills by finding a way to make continued recycling possible in Enumclaw.

If you are interested in the thoughts of others in the Enumclaw area, please see the letters in the editorial section of The Enumclaw Courier-Herald newspaper since this announcement was made.

Paul Hott

Rural Enumclaw