Why Recycling Is Wrong

For my research assignment, I am answering question #6 from pg. 262 of the book Global Issues, Local Arguments by June Johnson that concerns the environment. In this question, I was given a scenario about a friend who is environmentally conscious. He recycles plastics, newspapers, and cans. He either carpools or takes the bus once a week to school. He tries to save energy in his apartment when possible, and despite all his efforts to stop climate change; my friend gets opposition from two groups such as liberals (which I initially thought would be on his side) and of course, conservatives. Both of these groups argue that his efforts are useless in saving energy and affecting climate change, but I think his efforts are not useless whatsoever
In the article, “Recycling Is Not Garbage” environmentally Defense fund scientist Richard A. Denison and economic analyst John F. Ruston rebut a series of myths that they say have been promoted by industrial opponents in an effort to undermine the environmentally valuable and successful recycling movement. One of them is that recycling is not necessary because landfilling trash is environmentally safe. But this statement is simply wrong. “In fact, 250 out of 1,204 toxic waste sites on the Environmental Protection Agency’s Superfund National Priority List are former municipal solid waste landfills” (Denison 280). That means landfills are major sources of air and water pollution, including greenhouse gas emissions. Another myth is that recycling is not cost effective, and should pay for itself. As discussed in “Recycling Is Not Garbage” an analysis of nine years of detailed data collected by the Seattle Solid Waste Utility shows that, after a two year startup period, recycling services saved the city's solid waste management program $1.7 to $2.8 million per year (Denison 281). Thus, we do not expect landfills or incinerators to pay for themselves, nor should we expect this of recycling. No other form of waste disposal, or even waste collection, pays for itself. Waste management is simply a cost society must
Nonetheless, saving energy not only benefits the planet, but our ‘pockets’ as well. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a simple task like replacing the light bulbs in your home can save up “75% energy of the 10% home energy costs.” Or simply unplugging electronics and appliances when not in use – a task made easier by using multiple-outlet strips, which can turn everything off with the flip of a switch – can save you money. For example, Leaving a computer on all day can cost about “21 cents per day, or about $75 per year” (U.S. Department of energy). Also, according to Goldemberg’s article “Energy for the New Millennium”, 78% of CO2 and 23% of methane is expelled from energy activities which are ultimately major contributors to indoor air pollution, urban air pollution, acidification and global