Why Bother To Recycle?

Last week, as I was taking the blue box out with the rest of our garbage, I had the usual feeling that I was contributing in a small way to reducing waste. But then as I looked at the cans, bottles, other plastics and paper, I began to wonder if it was worth the bother. Some of the cans and plastic required some rinsing to make them acceptable and we always remove the windows part of the envelopes as instructed as well. But to what end?

By recycling, we are supposed to be helping to save the earth, albeit in a very small way, and cut down on the amount of material that goes to the landfill. But all this effort is negated as the buildings on the south side of Colborne St. are knocked down and carted off to that same landfill. One dump truck load would probably more than wipe out a years worth of our recycling effort. And this will drag on for several more years as the foundations are also removed, when and if replacement buildings are ever build. And how many trees and other scarce resources will be used up in this possible construction? So much for reduce, reuse, recycle as it applies to our current city council. Yes, a small amount might be recycled but when you are smashing buildings down with large heavy machinery, little would be salvageable. How much more sensible and environmentally friendly would trying to save at least some of these buildings have been.

Even our self professed champion of the environment, Ms. Cheschi-Smith, who frets over plastic bottles at City Hall (they are at least recyclable), voted in favour of this massive destruction.

I will continue to do my part by recycling, even though those who are supposed to be leaders do just the opposite. The shame is theirs.