Unpopular Opinion: Recycling is Bullsh*t

Yes, this is an unpopular opinion. Sorry for knocking you off your high horse.

Please, don’t get me wrong. I care about the planet and I am happy we have found a way for everyone to do their little bit. But, don’t misunderstand, that is just it. A little, insy-winsy bit. A tiny way for you to say you’re doing your part for the planet when, in reality, all recycling does is boost your ego. You are not single-handedly rebuilding the o-zone layer, you are not shutting down oil rigs in the South Pacific, you are not rescuing Koala’s from bushfires. You are putting your paper in a separate, slightly smaller bin.

It is exciting, I know. That moment of elation when you take out your little green wheeler at the end of the week; you feel good about yourself. “Yasss, look at this queen saving the planet; one milk bottle at a time” you rave in your head whilst giving yourself a big, ol’ pat on the back. Maybe it is only half the size of what you’re sending to landfill. But at least you're trying, right? No, you are not. You are using this bullsh*t act to justify all the other terrible habits that contribute to this climate catastrophe we are facing.

Driving five minutes to the local supermarket? “It’s okay! I recycle.”

Buying pre-bagged salad instead of fresh and plastic free? “It’s okay! I recycle.”

Eating meat for lunch and dinner? “It’s okay! I recycle.”

Sing it a little louder for the people at the back “IT’S OKAY! I RECYCLE.” Scores of shoppers start joining in. A flash-mob has erupted in the middle of the local mall. Everyone can relate as they drop their single-use bags full of clothes shipped from Asia, likely headed to landfill by the end of the season. “IT’S OKAY! I RECYCLE.” Now all dancing in unison, hopping back and forth in their big brand trainers with rubber soles and plastic laces. “IT’S OKAY! I RECYCLE” they all roar one last time before heading off to the conveniently placed fast-food outlets. All waiting for hungry consumers to refuel on overly processed beef burgers or vanilla frapes with extra whipped cream and a big dollop of lovely, disposable packaging ready to sit and not biodegrade.

Eco-anxiety is real and affecting so many of us in our day to day lives, from commuting to work to the weekly food shop. Trying not to create waste is hard in the age of import/export, suction packed, microwave-meals we live in. More and more of us are opting for a plant-based diet as it is now acknowledged that the meat and dairy industries are the highest contributors to Co2 emissions. We are trying to take our re-usable bags shopping and some are even giving up international flights to fight the rising sea-levels. But we need to see more of it. We need news outlets, government bodies and influential figures to step out and raise awareness that this is more than just recycling.

It is down to us to lobby the oil companies, the media conglomerations, the Coca-Cola’s of this world. Show them what it means to really care for our future. Show them we won’t buy into their crappy practices just for ease or creature comforts. Show them we know how to change, and we are willing to sacrifice.

You’ve heard of carbon off-setting and really believe that’s what you’re doing. You can see the different bags of waste and recycling so of course you can see the impact you are having for this cause. It’s time to look past this. To understand the story of climate change and how to act positively towards it. You have seen the statistics, the pictures of starving polar bears, of dehydrated children. Your social media feeds are full of the information needed to step into a more conscious lifestyle.

Why haven’t you? Because it doesn’t apply to you? Because it’s not in your back yard? Why would you give up a proper cup of tea?

Nah, no need mate. You recycle.