Is there an argument against recycling?

Question

The county where live recently required all trash haulers to institute a recycling program. We don’t even have to separate our recyclables; glass, plastic, aluminum, and paper all go in a single container. The way I see it, now it takes effort NOT to recycle.

This added service is increasing our trash fees slightly. I heard some of my neighbors have been passing a petition to get rid of the recycling service. They say that if they don’t want to recycle, they shouldn’t have to pay for it. Unfortunately, I missed our last subdivision meeting where this topic was discussed so I didn’t get a chance to ask them why they’re anti-recycling.

Does anyone know why someone would oppose recycling? I can’t understand how it could be a bad thing.

Answer 1

I don't know for sure about recycling producing a greater carbon footprint, but it may be true.  However, the alternatives to recycling are reusing (ideal) and simply throwing an item away.  Trashing something doesn't make it go away, though.  It goes to a landfill.  It must be transported there and then arranged on the pile and compacted.  Once the trash is buried in the ground, it decomposes... extremely slowly, since there is a lack of water and oxygen.  But there certainly are some gases released into the atmosphere in the process(largely methane, which contains carbon).  And the material does us no good at all when it's in the ground.  A landfill is just a big, bottom-lined pile of garbage that gets compacted and covered with dirt on a regular basis.  It takes a lot of resources to make that happen.  Also, groundwater must be monitored for decades after a landfill closes to ensure that there is no contamination.  So throwing something away isn't without its carbon consequences.

As for why some people oppose recycling, I'd have to say that the little effort involved to care about what one does with waste and put something in a separate container is too much for some people.  They probably don't like being told what they should do or that they should change their ways and then revolt, much as children do, resisting even in the face of so much evidence that they should change.  Our culture is so dispose-happy.  Many items are designed to be disposable, mainly so people buy more of them.  This is not good for the environment, nor for consumers' wallets.  I'd rather buy things that cost more and last longer.  That means there's less trash and recyclables for me to haul out to the curb, and therefore less huffing and puffing CO2 in the process.  =)

Answer 2

problem is all good ideas face the problem of economics.

but if we have to think of our future generation then we cannot ignore the concept of recycling. it will need more understanding and voluntary cooperation from all concerned

Answer 3

Not all recycling is good for the environment. Newsprint for example. It's cheaper and cleaner to create newsprint from pulp than from recycled paper.

The process of recycling paper uses more energy, water, and is hazardous (the bleaching of the old newsprint creates dioxin -- one of the most toxic substances known to man).

Answer 4

Usually objections come down to money. It takes more money to recycle things than to create them as new, more money to pay collectors to sort it, it's easier to grab any old packet from the self rather than checking if it has been made from recycled materials or is recyclable.........

Its always them same, people are lazy and greedy, "d**n the plant I wanna save a few quid".

But you must also be aware that in some cases re-using is 'better' than recycling, as no waste is made from that particular product after it's first use. That does not mean however that is should not be done instead of recycling but along side. Reduce, re-use, recycle.!!!

This site discusses the pros and cons of recycling:

http://www.passaiccountynj.org/Departmen...

Hope it helps

Bright Blessings.

Answer 5

Well, actually, recycling most products besides tin cans requires more energy than to make new, and though it does save resources in the product itself, it leaves a carbon footprint greater than if they just made new.

Answer 6

Time consuming & a little messy.  But the benefits out weigh

any negative arguments.

Answer 7

One reason someone might oppose recycling is that we should really be reducing the size of our waste stream. If I only use my personal reusable packing for instance, Tupperware instead of taking recycled paper doggie bags, the waste stream would become smaller, thererfore, it is superior to recycling.

Also, consider that compost is recycling matter into soil, water sludge converters recycle that into energy. Solar panels recycle sunlight into power, Prius's recycle friction from braking tires into energy for the car. You have to consider what recycling really means and how often we do it without knowing it.

http://www.greencollareconomy.com