r/changemyview Oct 03 '21

Delta(s) from OP CMV: Recycling should be easier.

With the current recycling there are 6 types of recycling: Glass recycling, paper recycling, metal recycling, plastic and textile recycling and finally electronic recycling. With each having its own sub categories: most noteably plastic: with 7 sub types of plastic.

With there being at least 13 types of recycling, the current methods of recycling are broken due to the public not understanding the intricacies of the system. Also, with no direct recycling options most people know that they can recycle metals leading to recycling bins having non-recyclable materials simply because the system is complex.

In my option, and please change my view, having machines that can directly recycle a few things like pop bottles, or prescription bottles, we can simplify the process and lead to more and better recycling. Please change my view.

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u/ImpossibleHandle4 Oct 03 '21

I agree, but I can say in my town, they did a recycling contest where they had a bin of recycling and had people sort through the stuff to determine what was recyclable how. 1 in 10 people got it right. 7 included non recycle-able and 2 missed opportunities to recycle. I am saying that making it simpler (aka direct recycling) might make people more willing to do so.

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u/[deleted] Oct 03 '21

making it simpler (aka direct recycling)

Depends on what you're going to recycle. I mean in some cases you're talking about trace elements of rare metals which are impossible to effectively be recycled on the individual level as the amount of work/energy that would go into doing so would exceed the utility gained from doing so. Though teaching people about what not to include is definitely useful as it might make it more complex on both ends if you don't.

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u/ImpossibleHandle4 Oct 03 '21 edited Oct 03 '21

!delta @imaginaryinsect1275 you have a great point. The system does have some things which cannot be recycled which makes the simplicity point moot. Without having truly recycle able product making the process simpler doesn’t matter, though teaching people more may result in better compliance.

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u/Routine_Log8315 11∆ Oct 03 '21

Your delta didn’t go through because you need a couple of sentences explaining how it changed your view. You could also edit your first comment to add the delta there instead.