Is recycling your home waste worth the effort and energy it consumes?

Question

I think it is and like to do what I can but sometimes I wonder if we're just scratching the surface of the problem.

Answer 1

I used to think so, until I started a job connected to the Council--now I realize that everything I recycle in a year (A LOT) is wasted in a day by the triplicate hard copies I send to the finance people, who passes copies to their bosses, who analyze it and send hard copies to their bosses, who probably never read it at all but make more copies to keep in case they have to prove they are filling government targets.

But in general, don't waste in the first place where possible, recycle what you must, and remember all the other ways we can help slow down our mass destruction.

Answer 2

It is just scratching the surface of the problem.

The overall end-to-end environmental models show that re-cycling is the WORST thing we can do.

recycling makes people people think thay are doing the right thing, but it encourages waste generation in the first place because people believe it will be recycled.

The BEST way to reduce waste is to not generate it in the first place. Unfortunately this requires people to change, but they don't. until unecessary products are taxed highly we will only be scratching the surface of waste control.

we should be taxing things like packaging, free gifts ( books, toys with cereals, meals etc ), consumer good that are not essential, goods positioned as impulse buys etc.

I often give this answer, and regularly get the thumbs down. Its because people are not seeing the REAL reports that show the carbon and energy usage for recycling is a loss, not a gain.

EVERY company has a vesting interest in hiding the real story and promoting recycling, the thruth doesn't stand a chance.

Answer 3

Largely no, its not worth the effort. Certainly in the UK, most of the waste collected for 'recycling' is shipped overseas for destruction as there isn't sufficient demand for the recycled product.

Remember as well that it is more environmentally friendly to make new paper than it is to recycle old paper, assuming you use wood from sustainable forests - recycling creates tons of toxic sludge which you then have to dispose of.

Answer 4

I recycle as much as i will and definite, I do experience it is nicely worth it. on the no longer so environmental side, it is likewise least high priced in that it reduces my rubbish %. up expenditures. If i did no longer recycle, i could be procuring 5 bags of trash each week fairly of a million.

Answer 5

Not scratching the surface anymore, now people have to do it. Here i pay for rubbish disposal by volume, so it is worth the effort for me, in real cash terms.

Answer 6

Have you seen what is done with your recycled rubbish. Most of it is shipped to some third world country on average about half is recycled the rest is left to rot or is burned

Answer 7

Nope. We crush aluminum cans and take them over to the boy's club. I think they make a couple of bucks off them and we use a couple of bucks worth of gas.

Answer 8

Its well worth the effort and most satisfying !! we have to
start somewhere !!

Answer 9

never really thought about it, i do recycle tho