On the other hand, landfills leak contaminants to the soil and water, produce a lot of methane, and probably other things too. I’d also argue that they give a illusion of a problem solved, and lead people and companies into not wanting to reduce trash production.
There’s also the fact that a lot of your trash doesn’t go to landfills, but instead gets shipped to developing countries where they often dump it into Wall-E style open air trash mountains.
When I was a kid, it was “Reduce, Re-use, Recycle”. The order was quite intentional.
Nobody ever talks about the first two anymore. Probably because they are wildly anti-consumption and thus bad for business.
I went on vacation recently. Visited Houston, Austin, and Dallas by EV. I was, and still am, amazed that the giant gas stations along the highway (Buc-ees, Road Ranger) are still using Styrofoam cups at the soda fountain. I can’t believe those are even still being made.
On the other hand, landfills leak contaminants to the soil and water, produce a lot of methane, and probably other things too. I’d also argue that they give a illusion of a problem solved, and lead people and companies into not wanting to reduce trash production.
There’s also the fact that a lot of your trash doesn’t go to landfills, but instead gets shipped to developing countries where they often dump it into Wall-E style open air trash mountains.
and this is how it’s “recycled”
“Just think of all the job opportunities we are giving to underdeveloped nations and their youth!”
-Nestlé CEO probably
When I was a kid, it was “Reduce, Re-use, Recycle”. The order was quite intentional.
Nobody ever talks about the first two anymore. Probably because they are wildly anti-consumption and thus bad for business.
I went on vacation recently. Visited Houston, Austin, and Dallas by EV. I was, and still am, amazed that the giant gas stations along the highway (Buc-ees, Road Ranger) are still using Styrofoam cups at the soda fountain. I can’t believe those are even still being made.