The raw material for bottles is sand, not a commodity that is in noticeably short supply in the world at the moment. But, if the wood from which the paper was originally made was replaced by new trees, then those trees would suck up the same amount of carbon dioxide as is emitted when the paper is burnt. The research which underlies the conclusion that recycling is a danger to the environment comes not from the lunatic fringe of corporate ruthlessness. It comes from very respected environmental scientists. Professor Frank Ackerman, for example, who specialises in environment policy at Tufts University in Massachusetts, views recycling as an irrational 'religion'.
Environmentalists refuse to countenance any argument which undermines their sacred cow.
As in so many cases, narrow ideology has replaced sensible discussion based on an even-handed evaluation of the scientific evidence. As in so many cases, narrow ideology has replaced sensible discussion based on an even-handed evaluation of the scientific evidence.