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Is this fake recycling happening on any kind of scale? This seems like something which could be pretty easily mitigated against by citizens following up with t

by toofy 8y ago

Is this fake recycling happening on any kind of scale? This seems like something which could be pretty easily mitigated against by citizens following up with their local cities to verify that things are actually ending up at recycling plants. I'd be furious, considering what I pay for these services if I were to find out they aren't actually recycling. I guess I'll have to look into my local situation. This is a frustrating realization. It's becoming exhausting that it seems like more and more we can't trust companies to do what they imply.

usrusr 8y ago
> Is this fake recycling happening on any kind of scale? Guess who will be the lowest bidder? Even if there is some actual recycling and the trash can be sold for a positive value, chances are that someone who only picks the easiest valuables and then illegally dumps the rest will be able to outbid a more responsible competitor. It's just the natural outcome of a disposal market and it is incredibly difficult to regulate away from that outcome.
- deleted 8y ago
  [deleted]
maccard 8y ago
On HN a few days ago I saw [0] that US cities are in fact actively reducing the scope of or removing their recycling programs. Id be furious too if I lived there (not sure if the UK fares any better) [0] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=19410187 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=19410187
- eeZah7Ux 8y ago
  "With China no longer accepting used plastic and paper, communities are facing steep collection bills, forcing them to end their programs or burn or bury more waste." The phrasing is telling. "China no longer accepting", "communities are facing", "forcing them".
notacoward 8y ago
> Is this fake recycling happening on any kind of scale? Unfortunately yes. Here's the article I was thinking about. https://www.wired.com/story/the-worlds-recycling-is-in-chaos-heres-what-has-to-happen/ https://www.wired.com/story/the-worlds-recycling-is-in-chaos... If you look for "recycling crisis" or similar on Google News you'll find many more. I kind of knew that recycling wasn't as eco-efficient as it should be, but I had no idea just how bad it has been and it's getting worse. :(

by toofy 8y ago

usrusr 8y ago

> Is this fake recycling happening on any kind of scale? Guess who will be the lowest bidder? Even if there is some actual recycling and the trash can be sold for a positive value, chances are that someone who only picks the easiest valuables and then illegally dumps the rest will be able to outbid a more responsible competitor. It's just the natural outcome of a disposal market and it is incredibly difficult to regulate away from that outcome.

deleted 8y ago
[deleted]

maccard 8y ago

On HN a few days ago I saw [0] that US cities are in fact actively reducing the scope of or removing their recycling programs. Id be furious too if I lived there (not sure if the UK fares any better) [0] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=19410187 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=19410187

eeZah7Ux 8y ago
"With China no longer accepting used plastic and paper, communities are facing steep collection bills, forcing them to end their programs or burn or bury more waste." The phrasing is telling. "China no longer accepting", "communities are facing", "forcing them".

notacoward 8y ago

> Is this fake recycling happening on any kind of scale? Unfortunately yes. Here's the article I was thinking about. https://www.wired.com/story/the-worlds-recycling-is-in-chaos-heres-what-has-to-happen/ https://www.wired.com/story/the-worlds-recycling-is-in-chaos... If you look for "recycling crisis" or similar on Google News you'll find many more. I kind of knew that recycling wasn't as eco-efficient as it should be, but I had no idea just how bad it has been and it's getting worse. :(