[greenyes] Recyclability

["Peter Anderson" <anderson@no.address>]

    In response to the request for what is recyclable, Jerry correctly 
points out that, by definition, thermoset (as contrasted with thermoplastic) 
plastics cannot be remolded into anything, and, if recovered, could only be 
chopped up for filler.

    But something even broader needs to be raised here that his point 
illustrates.

    There has been a major undercurrent in the recycling movement that 
anything can be recycled, as a matter of pride.

    While technically that may be true, it ill serves our long term 
interests in being sustainable ourselves, if we blithely ignore real world 
limitations that only makes some things practicably recyclable.  For without 
some underlying economic rationale, whatever we summon extraordinary efforts 
to recover will be less than a little noticed flash in the pan.

    Our blurring the line between technically and practically has led us to 
do some very counterproductive things such as in vigorously chasing the 
infinitesimal #3-#7 plastics, which are less than one half of one percent of 
the MSW stream -- while doing precious little to broaden base level 
recycling of C&D, which is as large as the entire MSW stream.

                                                                             
                Peter
_________________________
Peter Anderson, President
RECYCLEWORLDS CONSULTING
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