Does it take more energy to recycle than it does to not?

Answer 1

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recycling
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Packaging
http://www.recycling-guide.org.uk/
http://thepaperplanet.blogspot.com/2007/01/packaging-problem.html
http://www.wwf.org.uk/core/index.asp

There is an over abundance of packaging globally, we as consumers are penalised and have the pressure to recycle or be fined!! The problem to my mind is that the companies who create all this packaging on all consumer goods, are the people who should 1) reduce their packaging 2) be charged a packaging fee, money which could then be used to recycle the excess waste that is overpowering the planet. Of course these companies would want to put their prices up, so the consumer once again gets penalised. So the main problem is the greed of the corporations, the need of high profits for the business and the share holders, and that is where the problem really hides, within the faceless greedy ones who want more and more money. So the real question is how much is enough for anybody?? AND YES - it must cost a lot of money to recycle, but it is local councils and government that is recycling, we are charged higher taxes etc, to pay for the recycling. So, we as consumers and taxpayers are penalised all round and pay the cost of consuming, NOT the suppliers, manufacturers or the corporations who create the need for recycling i n the first place!!!

Answer 2

It takes less energy to recycle.

Answer 3

it takes less energy to recycle most products.

for example with glass, you have to spend energy collecting and melting the scrap.

however this takes a lot less energy than melting the silica (sand) to produce 'new' glass.

infact, in new glass production, they use scrap glass to lower the temperature required to melt the silica and other elements.