We congratulate: Recycling ideas that are all new

As we continue to see the dirty work of residents who toss trash onto pastureland and cigarettes onto streets as if those were swinging-door receptacles for their refuse, we are encouraged when we see institutions taking responsibility for making our county more energy conscious, our environment more sustainable and our young people more encouraged about both.

Shelby County Public Schools for a few years now has become more aggressive and more successful in implementing, elevating and underscoring environmentally sensitive approaches – such as hiring an energy manager – that not only save the district money but also educate the students who see them employed.

Follow that with the new programs at the Jefferson Community & Technical College’s Shelby Campus, where everything from power reductions to recycling programs to nature trails to sustain the campus are being rolled out for students to embrace and expand.

We have set a goal for building a more environmentally engaged community. We want our businesses, industries and other enterprises to become increasingly sustainable and strong. And we are elated when we see progress.

Shelbyville’s Public Works Department has drawn raves for its efforts in bioretention, and we have encouraged industry – often challenged by dollars and sense to be able to move quickly with improvements – to look for every opportunity to save the earth. We have complimented several who did.

That some of our older students are being schooled to seize such opportunities to understand the value of sustainability programs is a vital step to ensure that our success stories increase in both numbers and impact.

To that point, JCTS deserves not only our congratulations for a good program but perhaps, someday, a carat mark in our book of debt for planting seeds that help to save this corner of our planet.