“I’m going to say one word to you. . . Plastics. . . . there’s a great future in it.” Mr. McGuire to Dustin Hoffman’s character in “The Graduate” (1967)

Donna and I recycle. Paper, glass, metal and plastics. On Sunday afternoon, I wheel the recycling bin out to the curb for the Monday morning pickup. I do my part for this wonderful planet. I suspect you do too. Thing is. . . . I have no idea where the recycling truck goes. To deliver or dump its contents.

According to a recent study, much of the plastics dropped in recycling bins is NOT recycled. Only about 6% of all plastic in the United States is ever recycled. The rest is dumped in landfill or – fasten your seatbelts — burned. In fact a great deal of plastic waste is exported to developing nations where it may be burned or put in landfill.

The first commercial plastic bottles made their debut in 1947 though at that time, they were intended for shampoo, bleach and cosmetics. None were for beverages. When I was growing up — all beverages were in bottles. And you know what? The bottles were all returnable to the store for a two cent refund. Bottles were shipped back to manufacturers, washed and reused.

So I have an idea. . . . How about if we charge $70.00 for a six pack of bottled Coca-Cola. Yes $70.00. And when you finish your bottle of Coke, you take it back to the store for a ten buck refund. Return six bottles? Get sixty bucks. And you buy another six pack. Think of the financial incentive! And everybody — especially our planet — wins. . . .