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Is recycling worth it?

I remember reading some old school debates on recycling, and one of the biggest arguments against it that stuck with me was that the very small gain that comes from recycling is actually lost by the large amount of self-satisfaction that people gain from it - thereby making people feel good about their contribution, and not seeking out other, and more effective, means of helping the planet.

So here are my questions for you:

1. Does recycling actually doing any good?

Balancing the costs of recycling across the board (you, the city, the individual), with the gains to the environment, what would you estimate is the actual positive effect of recycling per person?

2. Of that good, do you think it actually does more harm by inspiring people to feel they are doing "their part" and therefore not doing more?

I am not trying to push any radical anti-recycling agenda, just curious how you all feel about this stuff, and whether or not you have thought about this debate and what arguments/facts have convinced you on the good of recycling.

Basil asked in Recycle/Re-Use about 1 year ago | Report
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  • Family_small
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    Marcia Rutan

    This is a great question and I'm glad you raised it. From the research I know, using recycled materials to manufacture new goods radically reduces water and energy use compared to making products from virgin materials. This is highly important in this global climate change era. In addition, recycled material reduces impact on habitat, resources, and land that can be used for other purposes. The net gain IS worth it. But here are three important caveats: 1) waste prevention is better. Choosing to reuse, repair, or not to buy unneeded products is the most impactful way to prevent impact on nature and lower effect on climate change. 2) Buying recycled products is necessary to ensure recycling works. It is definitely not enough to recycle and then avoid recycled content products. Quality is high, cost is not prohibitive for most common items. Take your recycling commitment beyond the convenient curb and buy recycled! 3) It is not enough to recycle and do nothing else about the planet. There's plenty of information available on what else to do and you probably haven't read this far unless you're already dedicated!

    Marcia Rutan answered in Recycle/Re-Use about 1 year ago | Report
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  • Stavpicture_small
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    Boy, we could have an all night bull session debating the various implications of these questions.

    Bottom line, here's how I sleep at night:

    In Seattle, recycling is cost-effective. Seattleites have to spend a lot more to ship their garbage down to a landfill in Oregon than they have to spend getting their recyclables recycled and their organics composted.

    Factor in the greenhouse gas emissions generated from a landfill and the fuel in transporting the waste, and it's no contest- recycling wins.

    Brett Stav answered in Recycle/Re-Use about 1 year ago | Report
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