Canada not doing enough

by Don Kormos
(Strathmore AB Canada)

Why is all of our recycling done in the US?

As a truck driver, I have personally hauled crushed plastic to California, Cubed aluminum cans to Idaho, and used Paper to Tacoma for recycling.

This is because we have no facilities to do this in Canada. Furthermore, I have hauled RE-cycled plastic beads back from California to Canada as well as re-cycled Aluminum ingots back from Idaho to Canada.

What is the cost to the environment with regards to fuel burned etc. to do this in the US? How many Canadian jobs are exported to do this in the US?

Barry's Response - A waste. Isn't it, Don. Canada has been in a trade-deficit position since late 2008, the first time in over 30 years. Let me dig a little deeper into this.

There's a lot to consider when it comes to recycling and its impact on the environment and the job market.

It's true that some recycling is done in the US, but that doesn't mean it's all done there. Factors like infrastructure, regulations, and market demand can affect recycling practices across countries.

As a truck driver, you've seen how fuel consumption and emissions increase when transporting recyclable materials across borders. When evaluating the environmental cost of recycling, transportation is an important factor. Reduce carbon footprint by minimizing transportation distances and exploring more localized recycling options.

Recycling can also create jobs when it comes to job exportation. Because of the current recycling infrastructure, some Canadian jobs may go to the US, but it's important to evaluate the overall impact. Canadian recycling industries have the potential to create new jobs if they're properly developed and supported.

Governments, businesses, and communities need to work together to develop sustainable and efficient recycling systems in their own countries to address these concerns. As part of this, we're investing in recycling infrastructure, promoting domestic recycling, and fostering waste management innovation. We can reduce long-distance transportation's environmental impact while creating and retaining jobs locally.

How can we fix this and save the environment a bit at the same time? Here's how.


Search this site for more information now.

The economics of recycling

It's usually more expensive to collect and process recyclables than it is to sell them. Some recycled materials, like paper and plastic, can be hard to process and require specialized equipment that can be expensive.

Without government subsidies, many recycling programs can't survive. Therefore, local authorities have to cut or eliminate recycling programs to balance their budgets.

Recycling has some advantages, though. By recycling, you can reduce waste going to landfills and save natural resources. Recycling can also create jobs in the recycling and manufacturing industries.

Believe it or not.