Think Local First

“Buy Local” is a phrase that has been around a long time. The notion of “Buy Local” is bandied about by many people for many reasons. But what does it mean for us in Douglas County?

It means supporting the local farmers and business people with your patronage. But more than that, it means providing more stable jobs. When big name employers like Dell come into a community, there is not any ownership or sense of community to keep them here for long. Small businesses tend to stay around, so their employees enjoy longer tenures and better wages.

Unlike the folks at Dell who had attorneys, suppliers, accountants all elsewhere and shipped their money out of Douglas County, small business owners reinvest their income into our local community by spending their dollars here. That means the dollars created here stay here and flow through the community. Thus building a stronger local economy.

But what does this have to do with recycling? Simple, local business create less waste and far less pollution because of lighter transportation needs. This helps keep our air and water cleaner and less material is bound for the landfill..

We cannot always “Buy Local” but we can always “Think Local First!”

Article seen as published in the North County News as part of a regular "Recycling Tip of Week" column