Some 1,500 surveys have gone out to Nelson County residents asking for feedback on a county recycling program.

The surveys were sent to residents who live in some subdivisions outside the city limits to determine if they support a county curbside recycling program.

The survey is quick and to the point. It asks a simple question: "Would you participate in curbside recycling at no cost to you?" (If you didn't get a survey, you can respond to the same question by logging onto the county's Web site at www.nelsoncountyky.com. The poll is on the right side of the page.)

So far, 253 surveys have been returned in favor of the recycling program with 29 returned saying no, according to solid waste director Brad Spalding.

More than 1,200 people haven't replied. If they don't respond, the county will be left guessing if those people support or don't want recycling.

It's an important issue and it is good the county is ready to tackle it. Citizens should step up and take a few seconds to answer the survey and send it back in.

The surveys need to be returned before next week's Fiscal Court meeting on Tuesday. Spalding will report the results to the Court at that time.

A larger sampling of the county's population may have been a better bet, if the county is looking for feedback. Fifteen hundred households won't give anyone a true reading of what this county wants.

And although feedback is important, this issue is large enough the county should move forward with the plan, even if every resident isn't ready to jump on the eco-bandwagon.

It's a good idea. It's this type of forward thinking and advance planning that will make Nelson County a great place to live for future generations.

The plan calls for residents to put recyclable items -- newspapers, aluminum cans and plastic -- in county-provided containers. Those containers will likely be picked up twice a month.

Nothing will get people to support the idea faster than it being free and easy. While other recycling alternatives exist, there is nothing quite as simple as putting the recycled items in the proper container and waiting for those magic county workers to come haul it away, just like they do other trash.

Most people don't have time, interest or transportation to haul bottles, cans and newspapers to a central recycling center somewhere else.

This recycling plan makes preserving the earth easy. Yes, the plan comes with a price tag for the county and some may fear that eventually could trickle down to higher taxes. It is estimated the pilot program will cost about $14,800. Of that, some $3,000 will be for recycling bins and another $1,500 for a trailer to haul the recyclable materials. The rest of the money -- $10,800 -- is designated for manpower.

If responses aren't returned or come back in the negative, it might be easy for county officials to say, "Residents don't want this; let's save the money and not do it." But how can anyone put a price tag on saving the environment and making Nelson County a better place to live?

Recycling is important to the local environment and key to our role in a global society. By recycling, we can help save energy, decrease environmental problems and save on natural resources.

Recycling one aluminum can will save enough energy to run a television for three hours, according to the University of Massachusetts Amherst Office of Waste Management. Recycling one glass container saves enough energy to light a 100-watt bulb for four hours, according to the University.

Recycling paper, like this newspaper you're reading, also benefits the environment. One ton of recycled paper can save 7,000 gallons of water and 17 trees.

Recycling also helps keep dangerous chemicals and other substances out of the ground and water.

The Environmental Protection Agency points out these important facts about recycling: