| Humanity has advanced so much in terms of | | | | pollutants themselves. For example, filtering |
| technology, society, and culture. It is necessary; | | | | chemicals used for recycling paper are actually |
| we need to advance as we live in a world that | | | | toxic. Ironic considering that recycling is supposed |
| has become more complex by the day. | | | | to save the environment. Indeed, critics say that |
| Unfortunately, we are abusing nature for this | | | | recycling won't matter since pollutants and waste |
| advancement. Our factories have emitted | | | | sleaze their way into the recycling industry. |
| greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The need | | | | 2) There isn't any garbage problem; therefore, |
| for timber and dwelling places resulted in the | | | | there is no need to recycle. Critics say that the |
| denudation of our forests. Our marine travel | | | | garbage crisis is false propaganda. That's because |
| polluted seas. Our landfills contaminated | | | | there are lots of areas that can be used as |
| groundwater. That is why we now have stronger | | | | landfills. Also, landfills are easily treated and |
| hurricanes, more massive landslides, warmer | | | | covered, and are cost effective ways to store |
| climates, and escalated extinction; these are the | | | | garbage. The garbage problem, they say, is an |
| consequences of damaging our world and the | | | | overreaction. |
| fragile ecosystems. | | | | 3) Recycling gives us a false sense of security. |
| Astronomer Carl Sagan said in as commencement | | | | Akin to the first reason, recycling causes harmful |
| exercise in 1996 regarding a photograph titled The | | | | environmental impact. However, the false |
| Pale Blue Dot (referring to the earth as seen by | | | | propaganda and massive information campaign |
| Voyager 1 6.4 billion miles away), we have "to | | | | makes people think that no harm is done when |
| preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only | | | | recycling. In effect, people will tend to buy more |
| home we've ever known." How true. And one of | | | | environmentally harmful products (such as plastic |
| the easiest ways to save our world is through | | | | bottles or diapers), believing that they can be |
| recycling. Recycling is the reprocessing of old, | | | | recycled anyway. This kind of thinking is called |
| used, and ready-to-throw materials into new | | | | entitled consumerism. |
| products. In the past few decades, recycling has | | | | 4. Recycling actually hurts the economy. That's |
| gained a lot of support. That's because people | | | | because recycling equipment, chemicals, and |
| have realized the benefits recycling contribute to | | | | processes are actually expensive. In fact, |
| nature. Furthermore, the effective promotion and | | | | recycling, in some cases, is more costly than |
| awareness programs with regards to recycling | | | | producing virgin products. Thus, the endeavor |
| have garnered even more support. | | | | becomes an economic liability. Furthermore, |
| However, not all people are convinced that | | | | recycling certain products is difficult and not |
| recycling is the way to get rid of the world's | | | | always successful. |
| garbage. Here's why: | | | | 5. A steady supply of recyclable materials and a |
| 1) Recycling instigates environmental problems | | | | strong demand for recycled goods are needed |
| rather than reducing it. That's because the | | | | for the endeavor to be fully viable. Government |
| processes and materials used for recycling are | | | | intervention is needed here. |