Sun Blogs: The Sun in China
Recycle This, America
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January 2, 2008 - 11:09pm Email: Share:
Mass consumption of bottled water has come under some recent criticism in the United States, partially because the empty plastic bottles often end up in the trash can instead of being recycled. Recycling our bottles (as Americans are advised to never drink the tap water) has been easier here than in many places in the US. Every public trashcan we saw in Beijing stood next to a container for recycling. This was so common, in fact, it seemed one would have to go out of their way not to recycle. The Shanghai Pudong airport even had separate barrels for inorganic and organic (compostable) trash. Perhaps American cities should take note.
Easy access.: A trash can doubles as a recycling receptacle on a Beijing sidewalk. Photo: Matt Hintsa
Recycling requires markets
It would be so great if we had recycling bins with every trash can. The only problem is markets. If we don't make products with recycled material and then buy those products there is no demand for recycled material so we just collect and separate trash. Recycling saves energy, creates jobs and saves natural resources. We can do it!