I can't think of many things more ignorant than throwing recyclables in the garbage.

I guess maybe a snow leopard barbecue or a coat made of panda might rank higher on the list of abominable things, but trashing a glass bottle is simply a shit-for-brains move.

That said, I regularly find the dumpster behind my house packed with recyclables. To make the situation more ridiculous, I live near an apartment block with three large recycling bins behind it. That means someone just doesn't care enough to walk 50 feet to deal with the trash properly.

Such laziness is unbelievable, and I'm unwilling to allow the possibility that Winnipeg's citizens are unaware of the benefits of recycling. If you have somehow managed to miss all the Memos to Humanity about recycling, I'm going to assume you're some sort of Ted Kaczynski mofo who lives a solitary life and gets news reports from one of four strange voices coming from 'somewhere.'

If you're of sound mind, it's simply inexcusable to refrain from taking the smallest steps toward being environmentally friendly. We aren't talking about ditching the car for a 90-minute bus ride or dropping $30,000 to retrofit your home with geothermal heat.

No, we're talking about finding an appropriate place to dispose of your plastic bottle after you've chugged your iced tea. If that means you have to burden yourself by carrying it a block or by taking it home to the blue box, I don't think that's too much to ask.

To some people, I'm writing the stupidest words ever to stain newsprint. Those people live a disposable life and have the mistaken idea that their comfort trumps all.

"If the city wants citizens to recycle, then the city should make doing so far more convenient," such people often say.

I say that's a cop out by a lazy, selfish, stupid ass.

Yes, the city should make recycling as easy as possible, but I have news for you: recycling is your responsibility, and it doesn't have much to do with convenience anymore. We're long past that point.

It is now time to start putting in a little effort. It is now time to start taking ownership of waste by dealing with it properly. It is now time to start going the extra mile after 100 years of sitting on our asses.

Hell, I'd just be happy if my neighbours would walk 50 feet to put their recyclables in a blue box.

Mike Warkentin thinks deposit beer bottles are a brilliant idea.