This seems like yet another issue on which we're doing more harm than good simply because somebody wanted "us" to "do something" and thereby feel better about ourselves.
Has anyone even looked into this?
2007-08-01 11:55:43 · 10 answers · asked by truthisback 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
Actually I do know the answer to this and scarce metals is not an answer - it is not commercially feasible without state assistance which means by definition that recycling still uses more resources than raw production.
2007-08-01 12:04:37 · update #1
Dekardian the simple fact that recycling is not profitable on a standalone basis (without government subsidy and other assistance) while original mining and production is means that the latter is the more efficient use of resources - at least, as judged by the consumers.
2007-08-01 14:26:44 · update #2
it makes people feel good to think they're helping the planet, even though it is harming it more than helping it..they will get angry at you for pointing this out to them. you can't argue with them, they are brainwashed, reasoning and facts mean nothing to them as they operate only on a emotional level...
2007-08-01 12:19:55 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'm sure it more than pays for itself. The savings in keeping that stuff out of the landfill makes it worth it.
I lived in a smaller town where the landfill was getting full and costly to protect the ground water supply. They started charging by the barrel and recycling was free. The amount of stuff that was recycled doubled while the stuff that went into the landfill was cut down by 30%. Now I live in a big city. The landfill is over 200 miles away and most of the recycling is done locally. So it really does pay to recycle, especially when you consider all the costs other than just the local pickup.
2007-08-01 12:08:51 · answer #2 · answered by wyldfyr 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's apples and oranges. We need to recycle because metal and other resources are finite, and they're of more use being re-used than sitting in a landfill. You have to think of that diesel as energy, and how much energy it takes to recycle something. Let me tell you, it takes a lot less energy to power those trucks, and the factories that recycle, than it takes to mine, refine, and produce new products.
How much diesel does their mining equipment use? What about the trucks that carry the ore for processing? How much fuel does it take to smelt it and remove impurities that don't exist in already finished products? I am far from an environmentalist, but even I know recycling is the lesser of 2 evils.
2007-08-01 12:02:39 · answer #3 · answered by Dekardkain 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Actually I read an article once that by simply recycling 1 bottle or 1 can, a tremendous amount of energy is saved.
So yes, I have no doubt that recycling programs are well worth the diesel and moreso.
Remember, by recycling, you don't have to spend the energy mining and refining the minerals or petroleum.
2007-08-01 12:19:28 · answer #4 · answered by Uncle Pennybags 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Recycling wasn't started as a way to make money or better use of resources. Recycling was started to cut down of landfill demand. We started running out of places to bury trash. It doesn't matter that it cost more for a second trash run to pickup recyclables. Recycling is just a way of getting rid of trash.
2007-08-02 07:17:50 · answer #5 · answered by Overt Operative 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I look at it this way. I probably recycle more than I trash on average, so, to me, it's worth it, espeically if it keeps the landfill from being filled up.
Besides, if we threw everything out, they'd have to do more runs just to be able to collect everything anyway.
2007-08-01 12:04:03 · answer #6 · answered by MoltarRocks 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why don't you just save money and throw your recyclables in the street. who cares it will save the top money and they wont have to live among the squaller anyways.
Recycling is a stupid idea.
These hippies are ridiculous to want this,
what a waste and burden on society.
2007-08-01 12:03:08 · answer #7 · answered by Eyota Xin 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think with the cost of school bus transportation issues, they ought to tote a trailer around picking up garbage and have the kids load it for exercise.
Sort of like knocking out three birds with one stone.
2007-08-01 12:00:21 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
No, but it makes green wackos feel good. To the extent it keeps them away from foreign policy, it's a good thing.
2007-08-01 11:59:19 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋
Why not instead of shooting it down, You look into it, that way you don't look like an idiot?
2007-08-01 11:59:50 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 3⤋