Myths of Recycling

This is an edited down version of a Penn and Teller "Bullshit!" episode that goes through the many myths of recycling. It is particularly effective at briefly summarizing how recycling does not save resources, and causes more pollution, i.e. recycling is harmful to the environment and counterproductive. However, people are still convinced they are doing some good or doing the "right" thing. I wish they could watch this and/or read the "Eight Myths of Recycling" article mentioned in the video (just search Google for it.)

If you really are an environmental activist, watch this and keep an open mind. Maybe we can improve the planet by being a little smarter about this stuff and quit basing our decisions on the false belief we are doing a good thing. Wise up America.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• recycling
• myths
• bullshit
• penn
• gilette
• teller
• environmentalism
• trees
• paper
• landfill
• pollution

[1y9b9b]

@LukeL007

the plastics go on top of the old street which are both underneath the newly paved road

???

[LukeL007]

@bpaolucci How is that better than using the old street as a base? Every year we have millions of tons of crushed up concrete that has to go somehwere.

[scoobydoorocks10]

rcycling is BS, why not make rap out of ur crap? instead of being lazy and sitting around and paying for peple to do crap how abut u make cool stuff out of ur trash? Lazy- ass recycler people.

[Wile37Coyote]

@MrSinister718

Fuck the cursing !

A little humor

[MrSinister718]

I'd like to show this is school, but too much cursing.

[Butmunch666]

@bpaolucci The fact of the matter is that it is usually harder and more costly to remake something into something else, especially with plastics which are very hard to recycle.

There are very few things that are easier and cheaper to recycle than make.

Alluminium and glass in certain circumstances. Paper has the problem that the ink is hard to get rid of and the chemicals needed to get rid of it are not exactly environmentally friendly.

[bpaolucci]

If you want to do something positive for the planet, use recycled plastics and tires, crushed up as the base for paving the streets and sidewalks. Works, its done elsewhere in America and it saves money because you are not trying to re make these items, you are using them as they are. Additional benefit, streets are quieter, people falling don't end up hurt as seriously and they don't have to be replaced or repaired anywhere near as often. Makes sense all the way around!

[TheGreenPlague]

Awesome to see at least some people realize the fraud of recycling. Just another institution for taxes. Waste of time and money, and ultimately damaging to the enviornment. Funny to see the first person in the video recylcing is one of those hipsters wearing one of those stupid baby thongs. Jesus, you have to have an dog's IQ to use that thing.