But is recycling effective?

Most of us think that having selective recycling is the solution. YES it’s part of the solution but not THE solution. Is it only a sustainable behavior that we’re looking for or is it also ethical? The answer is both. Basically it can’t be sustainable if it’s not ethical. A good example of a sustainable company focusing on selling sustainable and ethical products:

http://www.trashbags.com.au/

Even if plastic shopping bags, plastic containers and paper are recyclable this does NOT mean that we’re helping the environment by using these recycled products. Indeed, in order to recycle and produce a new container for example we use electricity and energy, so we’re harming the environment. It is a break even situation: recycling reduces waste but increases the use of energy. In addition to causing strain on our landfills and natural resources, excessive packaging is also costly to the consumer. Consumers pay many times for the full cost of packaging - for waste collection and disposal, and for the impacts on our environment and health. In Tunisia, a number of communities started a recycling program. Their success depends on you. If you do not have such program in your neighborhood, claim it from your locally elected leader. Make an educated purchase by selecting products that are not harmful to the Environment such as energy and water efficient house appliances. Moreover, recycling waste is also another major contribution to environmental protection. More generally,

• Find the place in your City where you can get information on what to do with leftover cleaning products.
• Is there a place to take those kinds of items in your town?
• What are some things you can do to reduce the amount of waste caused by the products you buy?
• Find out which recyclable item makes up the largest percentage of our trash.