It is the avoided pollution from processing raw materials that gives recycling its important environmental advantage over incineration. These manufacturers need a guaranteed steady supply of recycled materials before they can gear up manufacturing processes reliant upon recycled materials. Dr. Commoner said his study of East Hampton had shown that you could give the recycled materials away free and still handle the town's trash more cheaply than you could incinerate it. It will be incinerated. Dr. Commoner then put the trash problem into a larger framework.
Environmental pollution begins in the system of industrial and agricultural production.
This means that we have to control the system of production, Dr. Commoner said. It's as simple as that.