The moment I saw the quote, "You need an engineering degree to take out the garbage" coming from the Councillor Sam Merulla, I shook my head. I have been sorting the recycling at my home for about two years. It's not exactly a difficult task, and I certainly don't have an engineering degree. I am only 11 years old.

I usually sort the recycling after I get home from school and have plenty of time to do other things because, on average, it takes me about three to five minutes, depending on how much there is. It takes only a little while to get used to the system if you do it frequently and correctly. If you're not sure what goes where, you can find more information at the City of Hamilton Web site.

There are six members in our family and we usually put out a full green bin, three to four overflowing recycling bins and about a grocery bag full of garbage each week. With a little bit of time and effort from an adult, it can be easy getting a whole family into it. I think that if more families did this, it would be an excellent start to helping the environment.

I also think if the adult generation of today is not going to help the environment but instead butt heads and argue about it, then it is about time they stepped aside. The younger generation can then start acting, as it is going to be us who will have the world in our hands. I, personally, would not like it to be in the mess it is now.

In conclusion, I think that if people really want to help the environment, the simple solution is to start at home. Put out more recycling and less garbage, and if you can't handle it, let your kids do it.

Miles Eastwood, Dundas