What about the states who do not participate in recycling???

Question

I was wondering...since we are obviously polluting our selves off of our planet...slowly but surly.....and the government is supposedly so concerned about it.....WHY ARE THERE STILL STATES THAT DO NOT PARTICIPATE IN RECYCLING????

I looked for a list of the states who do not recycle and couldnt find one but I travel to Tenn often and know that Tenn doesnt do its share in recyling. Everyone throws away plastic bottles, glass bottles, and cans...everyone in Tenn just throws them into the freaking garbage. INTO THE GARBAGE!

So what gives? If the government is as concerned about the planet that we are slowly killing...why does the government not MANDATE every single state to recycle?

Another thing I thought about...you know how everyone is talking about plastic water bottles? Wouldnt it be a GREAT IDEA if the bottle return machines at grocery stores accepted the water bottles?! Even tho they wouldnt give money for returning them-it would be a great outlet to recycle them!

Answer 1

Oh, you mean the other 49.  

No, seriously, the problem with garbage is the word "AWAY".  However tangible materials such as glass and aluminum can be reclaimed from a land fill, the issue arises with the fact the landfills of the last 70 years have become so hazardous with liquid chemicals, heavy metals and possibly mutated super germs and bacteria (toxic consumerism), that to open them up may bring about the Apocalypse.

Answer 2

I understand your frustration with this. Last fall we visited my mother in law in Florida. She insisted on using all kinds of disposable items (cups, plates, ect) and she was just throwing it all in the trash. I asked her about it and she told me she could care less what happens to it. I found out later her county has no formal recycling program. If you want to recycle you must bring your items to a drop off center yourself. There are many people who are too busy/lazy to do it or who like my mother in law just do not care.

We need all locations in our country to get with it and start changing the way we process our landfill waste. All landfills should begin to sort the waste (some do this) and remove recyclable items from non-recyclable items, and they need to seperate compostable waste from that. Yes it would cost more to do this and it would require more man power but it would be worth it. Not only would this help keep our world a little cleaner and healthier but it would also create jobs which are badly needed in this economic climate. This would make recycling a no brainer and would eleminate the excuses of those who don't are, don't have time, or don't know any better.

It is going to be hard work to turn things around and the work is going to fall on the shoulders of those few people who care but this is work that needs to be done. We need to change before it is too late and our world is too toxic to save. We may not be able to un-do what those before us have done but we can change from here on out!

ps....the water bottle thing would be great. There is a company who does the water bottles for the water coolers and they take returns in the store and you must return a bottle to get a new one! that is a step in the right direction.

Now let me step off my soap box ;)