What's Your Good Reason for Not Recycling?

Everyone has one, so what's your good reason for not recycling? As popular as the Green Movement has become and as much advertising as it has promulgated, universal participation in recycling seems about as popular an idea as filling out and returning the 2010 census. You kind of know you should do it but really does it have to be done today?

Even though sources like the National Recycling Coalition explain that we are already reducing our Carbon Footprint by 3% through what is a rather low national percent of successful recycling. The desire to jump on the band wagon and start recycling on a weekly basis in some households just seems to represent something way to much like a time suck. Many Americans are just used to using and then throwing and then going to buy something else.

Of course a small amount of time is required to make recycling work. You have to create an area to store your recycle or use the recycle bins that can be purchased for a nominal fee in many communities. Then there are those few seconds it takes initially to remember which refuse goes in which container. Finally there is the time it takes to bring the refuse either to your curb side or to a designated center. Recycling does have the feel of a chore to it but the cumulative results speak for themselves.

For some would be recyclers the fly in the ointment is the recognition that not everyone else is doing it. In recycling as in the case of many other adult activities there is a herd mentality. You know that if every other person on your block was putting out recycling you would probably not be the hold out that you currently are. For people who live in neighborhoods that have been slow to jump on the recycle bandwagon sometimes being that first or second person to take such a "green" step is not that inviting an option. In other communities where no curb pick up of recycling is provided, many people fail to recycle because they don't feel propelled or compelled by the visible recycling of others. That recycling center just seems so far away and such an extra chore when it's so easy just to junk it all and let the trash folks deal with it.

For those already somewhat disinclined to put in the time or the effort to recycle there a support philosophy that is a handy crutch and allows non-recycling to seem really okay. The theory is that there is no way that we can really see the good our individual recycling does, so maybe it doesn't really do any good at all. Once doubt has been introduced into the recycling discussion, many folks feel justified in the one bag fits all concept of trash disposal. Not only do they get out of a little extra work, they now get out of the tiny amount of guilt that goes with it. Developing this kind of philosophy also gives you a shield against the icy stares of recycling neighbors who notice your non-participation.

Like any great rationalization, those involved in avoiding the recycling effort make sense only when you refuse to look at what you are giving up by refusing to be part of a national program of recycling. The positive effects on environment that can be gained by universal recycling are unquestionable. For Americans the option to recycle can really be seen as a chance to serve your country and yourselves through a very small investment of thoughtfulness, time and money . Universal recycling doesn't have to be a dream but it only becomes a reality when we dump our sorry excuses along with the trash .
a great service done by you and for you