Should Recycling Be Required by Law?

PRO MANDATORY recycle * Recycling is so beneficial for our planet that it should definitely be required. In an ideal world, everyone would voluntarily recycle, but lets face it Thats never going to happen. It makes me so angry when I watch students in my school throw their plastic water bottles in the fling can when there is a recycle can right next to it * Nearly 70 million tons of material are kept off from landfills each year thanks to recycling, gibe to the National Recycling Coalition. If we have just 30 part of the population recycling, wed reduce greenhouse gas emissions as much as if we removed 25 million cars from the road Imagine how many greenhouse gas emissions we could get rid of if everyone recycled. * Its so easy to recycle, and if much people do it, then it becomes more cost-effective. Some people against mandatory recycling say that its costly, but recycling is a less expensive dish out if more people are involved.In fact, two years after stark naked York City decided that mandatory recycling was a drain on the urban center costing $40 million they discovered that a redesigned, more efficient recycling system could actually save the city $20 million New York City has now signed a 20-year recycling contract. * We need to get more cities and states on board with mandatory recycling. In addition to helping the environment, recycling programs help stimulate the economy by creating more jobs. The benefits of mandatory recycling far outweigh the drawbacks, and its up to you, CosmoGIRL eaders, to get your cities on board Write to your local anesthetic official and let her or him know how you feel about mandatory recycling. Your actions can make all the difference Laura Carusco, 18, New York City, NY ANTI MANDATORY RECYCLING * Mandatory recycling is one of the newest fads in the go green movement. But what you may not realize is that its also one of the most costly and wasteful activities to get across America. * Contrary to what most peopl e think, recycling does not save irreplaceable sources. Take a look at the current prices for everyday items, handle paper.According to the belief of supply and demand, since the price is so cheap, there must be a large supply that backs it up. For example, a pack of notebook paper ranges from just 20 cents to 50 cents. If we were at risk of running out of trees, the price would be much higher. * Also, by development less of one resource, we are inevitably using more of others. Daniel K. Benjamin, senior associate of the Property and Environment Research Center, stated in a report that on average, curbside recycling is 35 to 55 percent more costly nationwide than conventional disposal. Benjamin goes on to say that in Seattle, where the council decided to make recycling mandatory, they are wasting resources by charging as well as much for trash pickup and not charging enough for recycling pickup. Also, think about all of the extra pollution caused by the recycling pickup trucks I ts like having a garbage truck come through twice a week instead of just once. * Its also a misconception that were running out of style in our landfills. There is enough room just in America to last us for years, and we can always add landfills.Another misconception is that our trash is harmful, but according to the Environmental Protection Agency, a cancer-related death due to modern landfills only occurs about once every 50 years. Cancer causes over half a million deaths a year in the United States alone, so one cancer-related death every 50 years doesnt even compare. * Although voluntary recycling has its benefits, it is altogether unnecessary and wasteful to make it mandatory. Aliza Sajjad, 18, Concord, CA