MARYSVILLE — Vonna Posey of Marysville started recycling 38 years ago, before it was the politically correct thing to do.

Now, her carbon footprint for two weeks is next to nothing, consisting of a biodegradable sack of garbage that weighs about a pound and some cans for recycling that don’t weigh much more than that.

As a result, she doesn’t think it’s fair that she has to pay for garbage service, which averages about $12 a month, or $144 a year. She’s even willing to spend 90 days in jail for the principle of it.

“I’m old. They can throw me in jail, and I’ll come out a better person because of it,” she said.

According to city law, that could happen, after first being fined $150, then $300 and $1,000. So far, she’s only been sent to collections, with a threat of turning off her water.

This all started in January, when the city took over garbage service in recently annexed areas, making it mandatory. There are exceptions, such as if you live on two acres or have a really long driveway.

“How about if you don’t use the service?” she asked, adding that she doesn’t understand why an exemption can’t be made for that. “I don’t want to take things to the landfill.”

Posey has not paid the bill since it started coming. Her son takes what little garbage she has to the dump once a month, and neighbors allow her to put what little recycling she has into their bin.

“Instead of punishing me with a fine and imprisonment, they should want to reward me for composting and reducing my carbon footprint,” she said. “There’s an old adage my parents taught me: Leave it better than I found it.”

Posey argues the city could even pay or credit her, because she knows it makes money off recycling and yard waste.

City leaders so far have basically ignored her.

“That’s just the way it is,” Posey said was their response. “They say if we make an exception for you, then everyone would want it.”

So she spoke at a recent City Council meeting, during the public comment period. Not much happened there either, other than to praise her recycling ability.

Posey said it comes naturally to her. She was raised in simpler times, when people lived off the land. She was raised on a farm in the Sunnyside area.

“We were taught to take really good care of the land and animals,” she said, adding that she would pick up pop bottles to get the five-cent refunds.

“We weren’t throwaway people. We repaired things. Sometimes I think we’re getting too affluent in America now,” she said.

Posey said her act of civil disobedience is the ethical thing to do.

“It’s not about the money. I believe in this,” she said, adding that there’s a disconnect with the city, as she’s just trying to eke out a living.

Posey said city residents need to be on the lookout, because they will be next in the city’s plan.

“They’re coming for you,” Posey said. “The city needs to stop requiring all residents to pay garbage fees, especially if they don’t use the service.”