Your Questions About Recycling
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Filed under Recycling Q & A
Paul asks…
Why are the economic benefits of recycling not stressed more?
It seems to me that recycling would benefit the economy both in job creation and the reduction of imports (for example aluminum). Is this true, if so why don’t you hear more about it.
I guess I thought if we could make it a patriotic thing to recycle it might get a few more people to make the effort.
The Expert answers:
Recycling takes effort on the part of the recyclers. Americans do not like things that take an effort or require a change on their part. Yes there is a economic benefit, but unless the average American can see direct results in their everyday lives they will not care one bit.
America, F*@K Yeah!
Comin’ again to save the motherf*@king day, yeah!
Sandra asks…
What is better for the environment: recycling or just throwing stuff away?
When it comes to anything besides aluminum.
I saw some videos from the retards Penn and Teller on youtube about how recycling is inefficient but they did an atrocious job explaining it.
Also, they never really said (between the two options of throwing something in the trash or recycling) which was better.
What do you think? And give reasons to support your answer.
The Expert answers:
Recycling is not without negative effects. It takes energy to save energy, and as far as financial costs, it can be more costly to recycle than to create new goods.
However, if we did not recycle, there would be much more going into landfills and degrading the environment, which is arguably worse than the energy costs of recycling itself.
The best alternative is really to overall reduce consumption. If you don’t use as many plastic pop bottles to begin with, you won’t be faced with the “to recycle or not to recycle” question at all.
Jenny asks…
Are there any jobs for people who want to help the environment?
I’m just wondering- I have a passion for helping the environment- recycling, education others, using less, etc. I’ve tried looking up jobs for that but it’s just like all science… studying plants.. etc. Are there any jobs out there (I don’t mind going to school for) that consist of trying to end pollution, global warming, recycling, etc? please help!
The Expert answers:
Yes there are many jobs out there. You can try organizations such as ECO (environmental careers organization) and Audubon Society and other non-profits. I have a BA in Environmental Studies and an MA in Environmental Science and have worked as an environmental educator, invasive plant weeder, intern for a municipal recycling program, and now I do mostly policy related work (AKA an office job instead of being out in the field all day). There are also government organizations such as the National Park Service or the Environmental Protection Agency that hire people for all sorts of positions. If you are willing to work hard and look hard there are jobs. I also know people who have the same degree and work in retail.
Joseph asks…
Where to find a green jobs article?
Ok, so I did a report on this article I found in the newspaper & it was on green jobs. I’m pretty sure it was in the providence journal, but i accidentally had it recycled when the recycling truck came. Any idea where i can find it? It needs to be included with my paper. Help!
The Expert answers:
Http://www.projo.com/business/content/GREEN_JOBS_09-28-08_VMBO96I_v12.16e9d1f.html
Richard asks…
how do i start a recycling program at my job?
The Expert answers:
Talk to your boss first to get the proper permission. With that done just go ahead and do it.
Ken asks…
How many jobs does one airplane create over it’s life?
Recalling the recent public abuse given to high-value executives who flew corporate aircraft and what appears to be a rapid, systematic and intentional destruction of general aviation, I wondered how many jobs are created over the life of one typical private jet airplane, from the time it is designed, mined from the ground, manufactured, flown, serviced, fueled, maintained and finally scrapped and recycled?
It seems the number of people employed over the life of just one airplane could easily number in the thousands. Has anyone considered how many jobs are produced with just one airplane?
Just to clarify, I am asking how many jobs does one, single aircraft create, not an airline, just one, private jet aircraft, say a mid-line Citation. From the guys that design the airplane, mine the bauxite, make rivets, supply paint, make the rivets, bring pizza, supply rags, produce fuel, cater the flights and finally scrap it out to keep another one flying, you name it. Just one airplane, owned by one fat cat, over the life of the airplane, how many families eat because of just one private jet?
The Expert answers:
A great question is thought provoking and has no easy answer.
Just like the one you just asked! Thankyou!!
As for how many jobs one new private jet creates, I think a few but perhaps not that many.
As for how many jobs every new aircraft helps sustain over its lifetime the answer is indeed in the thousands.
George asks…
Who would like to recycle for the environment and creat jobs for people?
i have an idea in recycling activity for groups to raise money .Whom do i present it too for responce .the activities would be driven by how much effort the grou decides to use in collecting the recyclable items.I would help them find markets for them and account for income and cost factors. My whole idea is to nurture recycling creating jobs,and educationing people in how they can be more environmentally conscious of their actions as far as the environmental concerns. Then i would survey the group for continued support in recycling by collecting more of the recyclables for other goals or programs.this idea would also creat possible jobs in recycling as well as incomes for both the collectors and and collectees involved.We could then close the circle in total recycling and stop outsourcing of jobs to other countries.
The Expert answers:
Why don’t you contact your local environmental agencies and pitch your idea to them? Local council could also be helpful. Alternatively, talk to your local political representative or (depending on your age) to your university’s environmental youth groups?
I hope this helps -there are many people out there fighting for the green cause and more than keen to hear your inventive ideas! Good luck!
Mandy asks…
who would like to recycle for the environment and creat jobs for people?
i have an idea in recycling activity for groups to raise money .Whom do i present it too for responce .the activities would be driven by how much effort the grou decides to use in collecting the recyclable items.I would help them find markets for them and account for income and cost factors. My whole idea is to nurture recycling creating jobs,and educationing people in how they can be more environmentally conscious of their actions as far as the environmental concerns. Then i would survey the group for continued support in recycling by collecting more of the recyclables for other goals or programs.this idea would also creat possible jobs in recycling as well as incomes for both the collectors and and collectees involved.We could then close the circle in total recycling and stop outsourcing of jobs to other countries.
The Expert answers:
You might check in your community and see if this is already being done. In my area some of the group homes run recycling centers and use the proceeds to keep the group homes updated with proper medical equipment, pay for outings for the clients, etc. So you are helping the environment and a worthy cause at the same time.
Many non-profits do the same thing to raise money for their programs.
Susan asks…
Why is recycling still so inconvenient?
It is the year 2008 and paper, plastic, aluminum, and glass are still all thrown in the same bag and buried in a landfill. I try to recycle but it is a bigger job than it should be. Shouldn’t recycling be required?
I’m not being lazy. I live in an apartment so I do not have room for several trash cans. In my town I have found recycling bins for paper but not everything else. I think it should be required to recycle even if it requires trash companies to make changes.
The Expert answers:
That’s a good question to ask yourself — why are you not required to recycle? Why aren’t your neighbors?
You need to get your community to put a recycling program into place. Try writing to your local representative, mayor and especially the local newspaper and ask why nothing has been done yet.
I live in New York City, which generates 14,000 tons of trash every day. Even here, bottles are separated from newspaper and cardboard in plastic bags or bundled, and the “trash” goes in a regular trash can. Usually the building superintendent provides receptacles and does any final sorting before it all goes to the curb.
In other cities I’ve lived in, every home gets two buckets in addition to their garbage can: one for plastic, glass and metal, and another for paper. Many places also accept paper lawn and leaf bags, which are composted.
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