Is recycling really going to save us?
By now, we all know that we should all recycle. Of course, we should. Of course!
You can't claim to be a conscious consumer or good citizen if you don't recycle. The horror! Admitting that you don't recycle is akin to admitting that you don't wash your hands after you go to the bathroom. It would be seen as dirty. Irresponsible. Selfish. And maybe even potentially dangerous.
Of course, we should all be recycling. Of course we should. It's the responsible thing to do as we collectively try to stave off the impending planetary destruction caused by decades of capitalist progress at all costs.
It's the least we can do.
But what if we're not helping as much as we think we are? What if recycling is actually feeding the plastic-generating, disposable consumer goods machine that's polluting the planet in the first place? What if the recycling industry, just like every other modern capitalistic industry, is in the business of making money? And is it just profiting off our garbage and creating an infinite feedback loop of cheap resources sold to faraway countries that create cheap, toxic products that are designed to fall apart quickly, so you have to keep buying more, and more, and more?
What if the recycling industry is serving up sleight-of-hand, not solutions?
Where does it all go?
In Canada, a significant amount of plastic waste is shipped to other countries for recycling or disposal. That changed slightly in 2021 with new regulations prohibiting the export of certain types of plastic waste to other countries, but that doesn't solve the problem of the dangers of recycling plastic in the first place. Not all plastics are easily recyclable or have a high demand for recycled content. Some types of plastics, such as those labelled as “compostable” or “biodegradable,” despite sounding like better alternatives, may not even be accepted by recycling facilities and can contaminate other recyclables. Additionally, the demand for recycled plastics can vary depending on market conditions and consumer preferences.
For plastics that are recycled domestically, the majority are processed into new products such as plastic bags, containers, and packaging. more plastics. Recycled plastic can also be used to produce items such as furniture, textiles, and automotive parts.
But I should still recycle my water bottle if I want to save the planet, right?
Sure, yeah. Recycle your water bottle. Recycle everything you can.
But that's not what will save us.
There is often an emphasis on the responsibility of individuals to recycle because it is a visible and tangible action that can be taken to reduce waste and environmental impact. Recycling has also become a widely accepted and encouraged practice by governments, businesses, and environmental organizations.
One reason for the emphasis on individual responsibility to recycle is that it can help reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfills, which can have negative environmental and health impacts. A study by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found that recycling and composting in the United States reduced greenhouse gas emissions, equivalent to taking over 36 million cars off the road in 2017. Incredible.
Another reason is that recycling can help conserve natural resources by reducing the need to extract raw materials. For example, recycling aluminum cans can reduce energy consumption by 95% compared to producing new aluminum cans from raw materials. Recycling metals of any kind is almost always a win-win since they are easy and relatively non-toxic to recycle and can be recycled pretty much indefinitely without losing their integrity.
However, while recycling is important, it is not a complete solution to the issue of waste and environmental impact. Governments and businesses also have a responsibility to reduce waste and promote sustainable practices. A study by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation found that over 80% of the environmental impact of products is determined at the design stage.
Corporate interests aren't sustainable
Research indicates that corporations and big businesses play a significant role in contributing to the climate crisis. A study published in 2017 found that just 100 companies have been responsible for 71% of global greenhouse gas emissions since 1988, despite increased awareness of the issue. The carbon footprint of these companies has continued to grow, perpetuating the crisis. Yikes.
Another study published in the journal "Nature Climate Change" in 2014 emphasized that the contribution of the world's largest 90 companies to global emissions is responsible for almost two-thirds of global greenhouse gas emissions between 1854 and 2010. This highlights the significant and ongoing impact that corporations have on the environment.
Although individuals also contribute to the climate crisis through actions like driving cars and consuming meat, their impact is comparatively small. A study published in the journal "Environmental Research Letters" in 2017 found that the carbon footprint of the top 1% of emitters globally is 175 times higher than that of the bottom 10%.
It is crucial to recognize that while everyone plays a role in contributing to the climate crisis, the responsibility for mitigating the crisis falls heavily on corporations and big businesses. It is essential for these entities to take significant and immediate steps to reduce their environmental impact and for individuals to advocate for corporate responsibility in mitigating climate change. Recycling on an individual level is like a drop in the bucket compared to these mega-polluters.
Like any industry, the recycling sector in Canada is subject to market forces and the pressures of competition. Some companies may prioritize profit over other considerations, such as environmental sustainability or the well-being of their workers. However, there are also many companies and organizations within the industry that are committed to responsible and sustainable practices and that seek to minimize the environmental impacts of their operations. It's our job as consumers to suss out who is who. Which companies care, and which companies only pretend to care or actively bury their heads in the sand?
And maybe, we shouldn't place all our hopes on recycling. According to some, we're not that great at it in the first place, and there are other things we can do to reduce our carbon imprint. Like boycotting products with toxic packaging, opting for reusables as often as possible, working remotely, planting trees and gardens, rejecting the capitalist drive to consume or die, and so on. I don't have all the answers by any means. I just have the sense that the recycling industry is a decoy designed to make us feel better about over-consumption and distract us from our inevitable destruction if capitalism continues to prioritize consumption at the expense of our humanity and the planet. Just me?