Why shouldn't we burn our waste?

We live on a planet with finite resources, but we act as though we can forever extract its resources for products we use only once--then "throw away." Extracting resources, manufacturing products, using products and then burying or burning them is wasteful.We must learn to emulate nature, which functions in cycles.

Reducing, reusing, recycling and composting materials fosters a closed loop, "cradle-to-cradle" approach to resource management that emulates nature's waste-equals-food paradigm. This is the only approach to resource management that will enable us to leave resources for future generations.

Also, when recyclable and compostable materials are buried, methane gas and leachate are created. Incinerating recyclable and compostable material creates toxic emissions and toxic ash. Both methods further deplete finite resources, since new materials have to be mined, manufactured and transported to replace the burned or buried material, thus wasting additional finite fossil fuel energy and generating additional pollution.

We need to stop robbing the cradle by extracting resources from the earth and then throwing them into the grave (landfill) and crematorium (incinerator). The packaging industry loves the incinerator industry because burning trash destroys the evidence of faulty and unsustainable design. Every man, woman and child on Earth can do their part to eliminate disposable products from their lives-- and reuse, recycle and compost everything possible. The message to industry must be "if it isn't reusable, recyclable or compostable, we aren't buying it--so stop producing it."

Take action: Say no to excessive packaging and the push to incinerate it. Call the toll free numbers on packages that are wasteful. Tell company representatives you will stop buying their product until it is packaged in minimal and recyclable material. Boycott plastic grocery/shopping bags. Buy canvas or nylon reusable bags and keep and use them when you go shopping.

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