Recycling -think about what's really best

How often do we see the little 3-arrow symbol for recycling? Does it really register anymore?

What about the words that some undoubtedly smart people coined to go along with those three arrows? Reuse. Reduce. Recycle. Did you realize that there is a method to the madness of the order those three ideas come in?

In theory, it is better to reuse something than it is to reduce the quantity of the material you're using. It is likewise better to reduce the volume than it is even to recycle all of what you use.

How can that be, you might ask. Have you ever thought about the energy that's required to recycle materials? This is another example of "no free lunch." It takes energy to recycle. So, what gives? Haven't we all been taught that as long as something is recyclable, it's ok? Wrong! Let me explain:

Glass is the only material I know of that is fairly efficient to recycle. With glass, you get just about pound-for-pound usable glass back out of what you recycle. With most other materials, the amount of energy that is consumed in the recycling process, along with the difference between "what goes in" and "what comes back out" nearly outweighs the benefit of having a recycled product.

So, I guess my challenge in this post is two-fold. First, ponder the words "reuse, reduce, recycle." As you make your purchases and fill your trash, I think you will naturally move into my second challenge -"re-think."

Let me tell you right now, this is not an original concept. I wish it was, but a woman I attended my PDC course with is my source. It makes sense. Her challenge was that we should all add the word "re-think" as a 4th word in the triangle. Personally, I think it should be the first word in the recycling slogan. That's what's really at the heart of permaculture, after all, isn't it? We're out to re-think these paradigms.

Re-think the things you do. Re-think the ways you do them. Re-think the things you buy. Re-think what you do with them after you buy them. Re-think the things you put in the trash. Re-think what else they could be used for.

How bad do you want to see change come?

Revolutions start with one person.