Quote:
Originally Posted by retiredguy123
I think the government should do more to demonstrate to skeptics like me that the materials picked up are actually being recycled and not sent to the landfill. Do we pay less to have separate pickups, or is it just additional profit for the sanitation company? Why is recycling not mandatory? Why are shopping centers and common areas allowed to have trash cans with no provisions for separate recycling? My mailbox area has 5 trash cans with no indication about what can be placed in them. If most of the things we buy are made overseas, how can you "recycle" without sending the stuff back to China, or wherever else it came from? Why can't we hire unemployed people to separate the trash? It seems like we need more clarity on the benefits of recycling.
|
Although, I believe in the value of recycling, I have to admit that you may have a point. The reason I say that is because of a conversation I had about 8 years ago with a woman whose husband is an environmental engineer. As part of his job, he inspects recycling centers/sites. She conveyed to me that the large majority of the recycling (at least at that time ) was not recycled but sent to the landfill as you suggested. She implied that it was a huge money making operation. Up north here, my electric company will pay me $40-50 to pick up my old appliance to recycle as well as other places near me that will do the same, so there must be a payback of some kind.
Before the arrows start flying, I repeat, I'm not against recycling and do so in the many ways others have mentioned. I have friends who work for companies that use recycled materials, so i see the benefit. However it does make one wonder, as with so many things in life these days, where does the truth lie? Maybe someone else on here with more direct experience in the industry could clarify this. I just hate to see the OP being flamed as he may have a valid point/question.