Plastic bottles are the latest detritus of modern society to bite the dust -- or not to -- when it comes to the neighborhood landfill.

State law now prohibits plastic bottles from being deposited in landfills. They join such common discards as aluminum cans. Plastic is not biodegradable and can outlast civilization as we know it. However, it is recyclable.

In typical fashion, the law comes without adequate enforcement strategies, but violation can reap trouble for the entity that owns the landfill. In our case, that is Moore County, and fines and other penalties can dip into our public pocketbooks. Even if you have no interest in preserving a delicate environment, then maybe the thought of higher taxes will encourage you to recycle rather than discard plastic bottles.

Recycling is actually simple to do. Counties, cities, even businesses are making it increasingly easy to recycle everything from newsprint and magazines to aluminum cans, and now plastic bottles. We can do better. More and more recycling containers can be posted in public places. Experience shows that, given the opportunity, the average person will recycle materials if suitable containers are available for that purpose.

Picture future archeologists intently examining 21st century artifacts and finding, not great art as at Pompeii, but piles and piles of plastic bottles. Do yourself and society a favor. Place that empty plastic bottle in a recycling bin. If you operate a business, set up one.

We have only one Planet Earth. Let's preserve it.