The problem of recycling and the key to moving beyond it

Recycling isn’t working anymore. And that’s a good thing. Most of us have long held recycling as the foremost proof that we are doing our bit for the planet. But recent global events threatening the viability of recycling schemes in many countries are shaking things up and waste managers are scrambling to find solutions. So what does this mean for the ‘green’ cred of the average citizen? What to fall back on if we no longer have recycling? It’s the stuff of identity crises. But before we start panicking that our ecological footprints are going to blow out, we need a reality check. The good news is we don’t need new markets for our recycling. Because recycling is not the answer to our waste problem. The only way out of this mess is to start being more conscious of the stuff we buy and to reduce our overall waste.

The China issue

With the introduction of kerbside recycling schemes in the 1980s and early 90s most of us jumped on board and ever since we’ve happily sorted our waste and wheeled two bins to the kerb each week. Why? Because it means less waste is going to landfill. It’s being made into other stuff so it gets a second life. Because it means we’re doing our bit for the planet. But maybe you’ve started wondering whether your recycling actually does get recycled. Until recently the answer for the most part was ‘yes’…