Recycling has become one of the hottest topics of the century. We know that we’re creating a lot of waste and we’re all trying to cut down in order to save the planet, but there are some realities that we all must embrace in order to truly help the environment.
1. Many “green” companies are doing it for profit, not for the planet
There are far too many companies that pretend to put on a “green” facade in order to get more purchases and customers on their side. This is a common strategy and we see it in a lot of places. This is known as greenwashing and it has become a growing concern, reaching a point where people are unsure if there’s actually a benefit to “green” products or if it’s just a marketing scam to get people to pay more for a product. Unfortunately, there’s little that we can do except try to debunk these green claims and try to find out the truth behind these products.
2. The green side also has its own agend
Recycling is always touted as a good thing and it’s understandable why. Saving the planet by creating less waste is always a good thing, but it’s important to remember that there are often people who are in favor of recycling that are only using it as a talking point to further their agenda. This could be people using it for political gain, to bring attention to their greenwashing companies or even just for the sake of attention on social media.
3. Some materials are more easily recycled than others
Some materials, such as metal, are very easily recycled and are perfect for use in everyday products if treated correctly. People often pose questions like “is aluminium foil recyclable?” and they’re often met with surprise after realizing just how easily metals can be recycled repeatedly without having to change its properties. This is completely different to the processes involved in changing things like plastics and recycling them into a new usable state.
4. Recycling companies sort everything out themselves
This is untrue. A lot of recycling bins are contaminated with non-recyclable materials due to consumers being too careless with their waste. This often stems from an overzealous approach to recycling where everything from biodegradable waste to cellphones is tossed into the same bin. The reality is that recycling companies find it difficult to sort all of these items and a lot of it is considered waste due to the contamination.
5. A lot of plastic actually ends up in the ocean
Pictures have started to circulate regarding plastic waste in the sea. It shows huge piles of trash floating around in the ocean and there are even pictures of animals being tortured by things like plastic beer can wrappers and bags. A lot of plastic actually ends up in the ocean because it’s either dumped in drains that lead back to the ocean or thrown away on beaches. All of this contributes to a huge waste problem that is difficult to clean up without the use of heavy machinery and a lot of labour.
