Less

My friend Matt and I were discussing the paradox of how even modern measures to reduce waste can have harmful effects in excess of the that of the garbage they aim to decrease. Not only can recycling programmes be harmful through the use of highly toxic chemicals or massive amounts of energy, so too can they reinforce the modern idea that we can simply use and dispose. And that’s something we’ve become quite good at: we use, then when we’re done, we throw away. And then we do it again. And again. And again, ad infinitum. We’re quite highly trained.

What? Am I saying that recycling is a bad thing? I’ll bet you didn’t expect that. But, if the simple act of recycling absolves our consciences of the guilt of over-consumption and unnecessary waste creation, then indeed, in that way recycling is a bad thing and could be causing more harm than good. That’s tipping the scales even before one takes into account those nasty chemicals and all that energy.

I’m not suggesting we stop recycling, because it’s certainly not all bad. What I’m suggesting is that we stop wasting. We need to stop thinking that our waste is someone else’s problem, and that they’ve got it covered. Because they don’t.

For starters, let’s stop buying those convenience foods that are packaged six times over. And how’s about we try not to choose items whose packaging will outlast them by decades or centuries. We could also do well to spend a few dollars more on things made with quality, things that will not soon require replacing.

Or better yet would be to simply buy less, but that’s maybe pushing things too far.