Tall Tales of Recycling
Recycling Myths Debunked
Fact: One could go down to their local landfill and find everything they need to furnish a new house, if they wanted to. Old computers, ragged couches, lamps, and even ovens are thrown into landfills across the country each year. While properly separated recyclables go to recycling centers, items that are not recycled end up in overcrowded landfills. So why aren’t more people recycling? Could it be they think recycling is not worth it, too expensive, or too much work? The following are five common recycling myths debunked.
Myth 1: Recycling wastes more energy than it saves
Fact: Recycling actually saves more energy than if an item was not
recycled. According to the National Recycling Coalition, reprocessing recycled materials into usable materials, on average, requires 17 times less energy than creating usable materials from raw materials.
- According to the University of Massachusetts’s Office of Waste Management, recycled paper takes 60% less energy, 58% less water, 74% less air pollution, and 35% less water pollution to produce than non-recycled paper
- Recycling one ton of paper saves 17 trees and 7000 gallons of water
- Recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to power a TV for 3 hours.
- Every one pound of aluminum recycled saves 4 pounds of bauxite
- Recycling one glass container saves enough energy to light a 100-watt bulb for 4 hours
- If every plastic bottle was recycled, 2 billion tons of plastic would be saved from entering a landfill
- Recycling one pound of steel saves enough energy to light a 60-watt bulb for a whole day.
Myth 2: Recycling trucks waste energy
Some say that recycling is useless because the trucks that collect recyclables produce more energy and emit more pollution than recycling can save.
Fact: Waste has to be collected one way or another. If waste is going to be collected, it is better for the environment if that waste is separated into recyclable and non-recyclable. The amount of energy and pollution created from recycling trucks is insignificant when compared to the benefits of recycling. Creating usable items from raw materials requires an enormous amount of energy compared to using recycled materials.
Myth 3: Someone separates your trash for you
Fact: Everything thrown away in a trash can becomes part of the neighborhood landfill if not separated into proper recycling bins. Can you imagine the labor and funds it would take for hired workers to separate every piece of trash into recyclables and non-recyclables? It is much easier and convenient for each person to separate his or her own trash than for hired labor to separate a whole town’s trash.
Myth 4: Landfill space is plentiful and infinite
Fact: There are those out there who say we will not run out of landfill space; however, there is a finite amount of land in this world. The trash we create has to go somewhere. All the trash that is not recycled continues piling up in landfills. Some landfills even become a part of the community over time. For example, in Virginia Beach, VA, there is a popular park created from an abandoned landfill called Mt.Trashmore Park. Some of us are living atop heaping mounds of trash, but wouldn’t it be better to live atop a natural part of the Earth?
Landfills not only occupy space they also emit greenhouse gases. According to Portland State University, as “organic matter breaks down in a landfill”, it releases methane which is a very strong greenhouse gas. By recycling, such organic matter no longer ends up in landfills, reducing greenhouse gases.
Myth 5: Recycling is too expensive
Fact: If a recycling truck comes and collects your recycling bins for you, recycling costs money, usually a monthly fee that varies by city. However, recycling can be free if you go and drop your recyclables at a local recycling center or by dropping your recyclables off at a school, library, or any public recycling center. There are also companies that will recycle electronics, print cartridges, and other items for free.
Top tips:
- Before you believe the myths that are out there regarding recycling, take the time and research the truths with the help of your local recycling center or the Internet. Not only will you be more knowledgeable in all things recycling, you will be able to recycle with ease.
Benefits…
…to your wallet
Diverting trash out of your curbside recycling bin and following your recycling center’s policies will keep you from receiving a fine. You can earn a little money selling your recyclables as well.
…to the Earth
Remaining alert and dedicated to recycling will significantly reduce landfill waste, the production of new resources, and fuel.
Common Mistake
- Many households simply place their recyclable items into the bin without thinking twice; however, all items must follow various policies. It is vital that you discuss your center’s or drop-off location’s guidelines with a representative. Your local recycling center can be found using SCGH’s database.
For more information…
Sierra Club Green Home Recycling Center
Recycling and Waste Reduction: Environmental Protection Agency
December 5th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
Some good points. I still criticize recycling, though, because it is a tiny part of the picture compared to our massive consumption. With reduction and reduce we can get rid of 90 percent of the problem, rather than just focusing on the 10 percent (or less) that can be helped with recycling.
December 7th, 2009 at 7:10 pm
It’s crazy to me what people think and how ignorant some people are about recycling. The bottom line is that people are lazy!
December 7th, 2009 at 7:12 pm
I totally agree with Trzplz. My school has recycle bins in plain site all over the place. Unfortunately, there still aren’t as many of them as there are trash cans. I see people all the time who won’t walk maybe six extra steps to put a plastic water bottle in the recycle bin!!! It drives me nuts how lazy people are.
December 7th, 2009 at 7:15 pm
I have a question about recycling. I’ve heard that you can’t recycle the lids off of many things that are otherwise recyclable (like water bottles, for instance). Also, materials need to be clean to be recycled. So before I throw things in the bin, I take off the lids and wash them out because I don’t want something that isn’t recyclable to contaminate a perfectly good batch.
Anyway, my question is, is this even necessary? I don’t mind doing it, but I don’t know anyone else that does this…are their recyclables being thrown out because they don’t do this?
December 8th, 2009 at 5:32 pm
I don’t think this article mentioned to reduce before recycling. Shame on you.
December 8th, 2009 at 5:50 pm
Who thinks this stuff? these myths are probably just excuses for people who are too lazy to recycle.
December 11th, 2009 at 5:50 pm
its pretty amazing how much can actually be recycled.