Recycle Lies

[slid_away]

We are all told we must recycle, some even being fined if we do not (or at least put it in the wrong bin)
But I have been told by a lorry driver that most of our "Recycled" rubbish is being shipped over to China for them to burn!!
The impression the government tries to give us on recycling is that it is greener but if it is being shipped to China look at the carbon footprint on that, let alone the emissions from the buring.
Is there truth on this and what are others feelings on the "Recycling con"

[Louisa 69]

Yes there is some truth in it. I remember watching a documentary on it. What gets to me though, is the fact that they go on about putting your rubbish in the correct recycling bags, then when the bin lorry comes along they chuck both sets of rubbish in it. So whats the point of sorting it all out in the first place.

[Ethel]

Perfectly true - it has been going on for years. This in 2004:

More than a third of the waste paper and plastic collected by British local authorities, supermarkets and businesses for recycling is being sent 8,000 miles to China without any knowledge of the environmental or social costs - and to the complete surprise of most consumers.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/ 0,,1308243,00.html


Feb 2007:
http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/show/sing le/en/756-China-must-say-no-to-imported-waste

I don't know if you read the papers last Christmas, but there were big stories about boats from China dropping off the Christmas stock for the UK shops, and taking back our rubbish.

And another article:

http://www.recycling-guide.org.uk/blog-waste-s hipped-around-the-world-for-recycling-30.html

[wired]

Don't even start on the rubbish that we "recycle" from abroad.Probably more a case of what goes around, comes around.

[shaneystar2]

We've had this raging argument before ! And I still stand by what I said !
http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Animals-and-Nat ure/Environment/Question380260-2.html

[slid_away]

I think we should revolt.

[Twenty20]

A lot of them are already revolting on here slid_away