Quote:
Originally Posted by Bacchanal
They covered recycling in another episode of Bullshit. Basically what they said (that I remember) is that outside of aluminum, recycling actually harms the environment more than helps. Driving to pick up the recycling and take it to the plant releases pollutants, the plant itself releases pollutants and uses energy and leaves behind excess chemicals.
I don't know all about it, but I don't recycle either...
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Voluntary personal recycling is probably not very efficient or cost effective, but as more and more communities implement mandatory curbside recycling programs, the benefits increase significantly.
Aluminum is still the most cost-effective, but paper contributes more by volume and paper recycling has a much great upside. Recycled paper costs much less to produce at paper mills than virgin paper, with much greater energy savings and lower environmental impacts.
Recycled glass (for new bottles and fiberglass insulation) is a relatively good energy saver.
Plastics are a bitch.