Help me settle this debate on recycling...?

Question

We live in Charlotte NC and my husband thinks that the county recycling centers don't really recycle. Have any of you out there heard of this type of deception? I know in the past some things were more expensive to recycle than it was worth (financially) but I figured with new technologies that wouldn't be the case.

Answer 1

Why would they spend the time to pick stuff up to recycle if in fact they do NOT?! That is really stupid to think!

Answer 2

As it cost money to dump almost any money you make on remaking the old stuff is a deal. I would like to see a wood recycle in California that reuses fences, cabinets, tree clippings. I take my cardboard to work where it is bailed, I save plastic bottles and cans at work and bring it home to recycle. I take my popcorn Styrofoam to work  to reuse. We can all do a better job.

I have kept track of my saving since starting this job 4 years ago and I have saved my employer $300,000. Over my career I have saved my employers over $5 million.

Answer 3

I live in California.  I've never heard that.  I think recycling is recycled.  I do believe that if someone throws garbage in a can of plastic to be recycled, they don't take the time to sort it out and just trash it.  It would take time to sort it.  We have garbage cans for newspapers and plastic/glass.  I try to put things in the right can.  If I see something in the wrong container and I can reach it, I'll move it.

Answer 4

I have heard of businesses, towns,etc who have separate recycling bins where people separate the trash but then just recombine it later and landfill all of it. But, it really depends on the individual case and location.

I do know that the recycling companies who are accepting waste for recycling are storing then re-processing the waste into other raw materials and re-selling those or directly into other products.

You should go to the waste sorting ot transfer center one day and observe to see what they are doing and then you will know for sure.

Answer 5

I'm sure the recycling centers recycle everything that they can. Alot of people put things that can't be recycled like plastic bottle tops in the recycle bins and these can't be recycled. Just make sure you know what types of plastic, metal, etc that they do take and don't mix other stuff in.

N. & J.

http://badhuman.wordpress.com

Answer 6

I have heard of that before, but never really knew if it was true.  I always think that you should choose recycling over not recycling regardless.  I would just call them or stop by and ask questions regarding their process and what types of items they recycle and what they don't.

Answer 7

Here's what you should do....call the Dept of Public Works ask them where the MRF (and call it MURPH when you speek to them, it will make it sound like you know what you are talking about) is located. They will tell you....THEN you & the hubby take a field trip. No, no, no, really do it. It will be fun you will learn all about recycling and youll have something to talk about at the next cocktail party!   Place a bet with the hubby winner takes all. You can ask the people at the MRF (Material Recycling Facility) if the stuff that you set out to the curb actually makes it to their facility.

Answer 8

I go to college in Charlotte! I think that recycling here is real, and wish that there are more ways to recycle and live greener.

Answer 9

Recycling is real ,underused and misunderstood.More effort is put into this useless debate than is put into RECYCLING.