An interesting article was published today exploring some of the recent UK angst about recycling(http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/feb/26/recycling-waste-environment). It seems that a flurry of media reports about the falling prices for recycled paper and glass making the process 'uneconomic' and horror stories of recycled TV's turning up in landfill in Nigeria are just 'hot air'. In the case of the former, a brief hiatus in purchasing was confirmed but it is maintained that activity is resuming and prices rising. In the case of the latter, it seems unlikely that this occurs on a regular basis and would cost more than recycling. The article also suggests that, sorting materials, one of the main complaints of anti-cycling householders is unnecessary anyhow. The article maintains that modern processing techniques used in recycling can work very effectively with mixed waste (bottles, paper, glass and tins) so long as it is broadly 'dry'. People apparently would be happier putting all materials into a single container (perhaps made itself of cardboard). It is frequently forgotten that landfill in the UK is associated with some very heavy financial (as well as environmental) costs. The author suggests that UK folk don't help the process of dealing with our waste by their 'nimbyism', noting, in contrast, that a new incinerator in the centre of Vienna has become a tourist attraction! I seem to remember local campaigns against incinerators?
This blog may help people explore some of the 'hidden' issues involved in certain media treatments of environmental and scientific issues. Using personal digital images, it's also intended to emphasise seasonal (and other) changes in natural history of the Swansea (South Wales) area. The material should help participants in field-based modules and people generally interested in the natural world. The views are wholly those of the author.
Thursday 26 February 2009
Recycling the Arguments
An interesting article was published today exploring some of the recent UK angst about recycling(http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/feb/26/recycling-waste-environment). It seems that a flurry of media reports about the falling prices for recycled paper and glass making the process 'uneconomic' and horror stories of recycled TV's turning up in landfill in Nigeria are just 'hot air'. In the case of the former, a brief hiatus in purchasing was confirmed but it is maintained that activity is resuming and prices rising. In the case of the latter, it seems unlikely that this occurs on a regular basis and would cost more than recycling. The article also suggests that, sorting materials, one of the main complaints of anti-cycling householders is unnecessary anyhow. The article maintains that modern processing techniques used in recycling can work very effectively with mixed waste (bottles, paper, glass and tins) so long as it is broadly 'dry'. People apparently would be happier putting all materials into a single container (perhaps made itself of cardboard). It is frequently forgotten that landfill in the UK is associated with some very heavy financial (as well as environmental) costs. The author suggests that UK folk don't help the process of dealing with our waste by their 'nimbyism', noting, in contrast, that a new incinerator in the centre of Vienna has become a tourist attraction! I seem to remember local campaigns against incinerators?
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