Shouldn't we be concentrating on reducing waste rather than recycling it?

Question

The ubiquitous recycling bins are everywhere.

I have to go past a huge line of them to the supermarket where everything is over-packaged (i normally walk to the shops for simple groceries). I think some recycling schemes don't make sense because we have to support fleets of lorries collecting the stuff and burning fuel and creating pollution etc.

Surely it would more make more sense to try and think of not producing the stuff in the first place.

Go to any third world country to see really efficient recycling (I am not advocating the methology).

Answer 1

Your point is well taken. Recycling should be part of a well-balanced plan based upon the old adage, "Reduce-Reuse-Recycle." While the way you have seen recycling implemented may be inefficient, this does not mean that recycling should be discontinued. It merely means that better planning needs to take place when communities prepare to implement a recycling program. And, you are also right: unless recycling trucks are burning clean, renewable fuel and doing so efficiently, then there is some waste just in the effort of picking up the recycled items.

The big problem in the consumer countries of the world is the complete loss of an ethos of economy, the morality of "making do." Consumers in such prosperous nations have been seduced into seeing themselves as entitled to consume as much as they want and then throwing out whatever they have to in order to consume even more. If we taxed resources rather than income, the reduce and reuse segments of our "3 R's" would suddenly make great sense to most people in financial terms if nothing else.

Reducing consumption should be the primary goal, however, this will difficult in societies whose economies are based upon mindless consumerism. Something must change.

As for reusing, you are right. Cuba is a good example: most of the cars one will see are from the 1950's and have been repaired countless times over the decades. Of course, one might hope that in that particular scenario, Cuba might eventually phase those vehicles out in favor of some that are much more highly efficient.

And, while your question is primarily about reduction and reuse, there are still too many communities, particularly in the prosperous nations, that have not implemented recycling programs. People in these communities need to be made aware of the benefits of recycling, the costs of not recycling, and pressure needs to be placed upon politicians to implement programs that reduce, reuse, and recycle.

Answer 2

REturn, REuse, REcycle.

If only everybody would practice these Earth-friendly activities, we'd have a much cleaner planet and a lot less trash. But that won't happen until governments pass laws requiring that their citizens practice recycling, or impose heavy fines or penalties on those who don't.

And that won't happen until it becomes a crisis situation, since governments are rarely PROactive - they only know how to REact to crises, emergencies, or threats.

All the governments of the world need to come together on this important issue. Saving our environment is not just some kind of fantastic pipe dream. It's imperative that we learn to protect and preserve the delicate ecological balance between man, plants, and all other animals so that we can co-exist here on this good green Earth, as Nature intended. -RKO-

Answer 3

Good point, and I agree on what you say.
I am always overwhelmed with how many material is wasted on packaging. Recycling it's good and needs to keep going on, although when you see (#4 #5 #6 #7 #8 #9) in plastics, what do you do with them, as they are not accepted in recycling centers... so why do we keep on producing stuff that can't be recycled?
That is another reason why we should also try to produce less garbage, and reduce packaging.

Answer 4

Recycling is something individuals can do, packaging is down to the companies who manufacture the goods.
Packaging is a major headache for companies and they don't use it without a good reason. There are nuts out there who fiddle with the goods on shelves, plus you want your goods to arrive fresh and in good condition. They have to travel to the store, and they have to be able to stack on a shelf so they don't fall over and you can see what they are.
By all means campaign against unessecary packing, but designers are already taking note of this and looking into new, and better use of existing materials. Unecessary and inefficient packaging takes up space, costs money to transport and produce, so its also in each companies best interests to come up with the best design. Its just that there are other factors to take into consideration.

Answer 5

As people have said already we need to be doing both. You're right, supermarkets are still overpackaging. Many people are using recycling as an excuse to just use more stuff because they feel their conscience is clean because they're being green and recycling.

By composting kitchen and garden waste and re-using things like glass jars/ plastic bottles, rather than putting them through the recycling mill and using up all that energy again, I try to focus on reducing my personal contribution to waste and try to consume as little as possible in terms of resources.

Answer 6

That Idea is simply not Realistic. Especially here in America where people like to over Indulge in everything. Instead we should try focusing on both goals because I know for a fact that there are alot more Trash cans, Trash Bags, Trash Trucks and everyhting else required to take care of that Problem Instead of Simply Recycling.

Answer 7

The vehicles that take our recycling are run on non fossil fuel and are doing a good job. Yet I do see your point about overpackaging in supermarkets but what can we do about that when supermarkets are so cheap and you won't stop people buying value for money produce no matter what it is packed in.
As for the third world they seem to migrate and take their bad habits with them.

Answer 8

It should be a combination of both, as well as reuse (three 'R's - Recycle, Reuse, Reduce); it is important to recycle what we use, such as aluminum cans, since there is a finite source for such materials. In addition, it is important to reuse certain materials, which will help reduce waste since things are being used again instead of thrown out. Reducing waste is only one component of the three, but is just as equally important as the other two.

Answer 9

We should all belong to a local freecycle group where people have finished with something, ie, fridge freezer in working order,and offer it on the site. Someone will want it, and collect from you and put it to good use once again. It is quite amazing to see the unwanted household equipment being recycled. Toys, books, lawn mowers, computers etc. All saved from the overloaded rubbish tips!!

Answer 10

We should be doing both. In fact we should be doing everything we can to be "greener" while we still have a choice. If that choice is ever taken away from us, the transitional period will be a nightmare unless we get some practice in now.