What's really going on with Recycling and what you can actually do about it?
Have you considered what actually happens to all of the “recyclable” stuff that you divert from the trash can? We have and we have lots to share. We also have a bit of a headache from trying to make sense of all the complexity.
The truth is that recycling is a complicated and convoluted issue that spans individual effort with governmental regulations (or lack there of) and corporate greenwashing at it’s finest. It’s such a mess that the easiest path forward is either the apathetic “why bother” or the misguided “wish cycling.” Neither of which are effective.
Since this is so very complex and there isn’t a clear path for how to address this the best thing for us at hygge | HABIT to do is share our sources and let you conclude for yourself how you are going to manage the issue of recycling in your home.
Sources for further education:
In the Video Op-Ed, The New York Times debunks a recycling myth that has lulled us into guilt-free consumption for decades. View the 5:18 minute video here.
United States Public Interest Research Group (U.S. PRIG) has put together a very short and easily comprehensible report on the state of recycling. This report calls out what state governments need to be doing to reduce, reuse & actually recycle.
It also offers an easy to fill out petition to ask your individual state leaders to act to ban single-use plastic which takes less than a minute to complete.
Specific to our home state, contrary to misconceptions things are much trashier than we thought here in Colorado. On average a Coloradoan produces over 9 pounds of waste per day and less than 2 of these pounds are being recycled. Sadly, the reality is that much of this waste could be diverted from the landfill if we had proper processes & infrastructure in place. For more on the waste/ recycling initiatives in CO, see:
Boulder Based Eco-Cycle + CO PRIG (Colorado Public Interest Research Group) have released the State of Recycling in Colorado in 2018.
Colorado Legislature Zero Waste and Recycling Interim Study Committee findings with proposed bills
The Colorado Sun, an online news publication started by former Denver Post journalists, has recently explored what local CO trash companies are doing to speed up recycling.
Senate Bill 192- is under review to help ramp up more curbside recycling pick-up.
What about banning plastic bags or other single use plastic in CO, you wonder? Colorado is one of only a few states that has written in state law a ban against a ban on businesses using single use plastics… so while some cities have moved ahead with this initiative others are waiting in limbo, the Colorado Sun has the details.
So what does this mean for you, a consumer and a recycler. First off, we truly believe that the best approach is to change your consumption patterns to buy as if nothing can be recycled in the first place. You can do this by switching out reusable products for much of your common purchases, i.e. coffee mugs, fast food containers, reusable silverware, etc- more on that here.
We have also outlined two blogs for switching from bulk to refill buying for food & home/ hygiene supplies to further avoid purchasing single use plastics.
Secondly, we have noted which plastic items the City of Fort Colins Timberline Recycling Center still accepts for potential recycle- only plastics 1,2,4,5 are accepted until further notice.
Grace has never been into the status quo, and loves to think outside of the bag. She has a passion for ethical and earth friendly apparel and accessories. And is inspired by minimal living and the organization necessary for living joyfully with less.
