CHARBONNEAU – Recycling seemed like a good idea at the time but it’s broken
(Image: MMBC)
IT SEEMED like a good idea at the time — throw away stuff guilt-free because others can use it. Now it looks more like wishful thinking.
Manufacturers encouraged the scheme because they wouldn’t have to deal with the mess caused by excess packaging. We, the conscientious consumers would be left to handle the flood of plastic, glass, tins and cardboard.
We rose to the challenge, earnestly sorting our trash. If each of us would just recycle, we could lick this problem. In doing so, we let manufacturers off the hook. It’s a familiar shift of responsibility to consumers. If each of us drive smaller cars and turn off the lights we can reduce global warming.
The failure of the recycling program is becoming painfully evident.
David Charbonneau is a retired TRU electronics instructor who hosts a blog at http://www.eyeviewkamloops.wordpress.com.
ArmchairMayor.ca 
I don’t like the idea of allowing consumers to shirk their responsibility by dumping it on industry. We buy the crap, it is our responsibility. Industry will play a major role in reducing waste and reducing our carbon footprint, simply because it is pragmatic and in their interest to take on this role. BUT without the consumer realizing responsibility and changing buying behaviors, the problem of climate change and pollution of our oceans will remain unresolved. We, collectively, must reduce consumption. Two more “R’s” to the well worn “reduce, reuse, recycle.” Refuse and Repair.
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