Table of Contents
Foreword 5
Introduction 7
Chapter 1 Is Garbage a Serious Problem?
1 We Are Running Out of Room for Garbage David Lazarus 12
2 We Are Not Running Out of Room for Garbage Alan Caruba 18
3 Garbage in the Ocean Is a Serious Threat Greenpeace 24
4 The Threat of Ocean Garbage Has Been Exaggerated Alexi Mostrous 31
5 Plastic Bags Are a Serious Environmental Hazard Katharine Mieszkowski 36
6 Plastic Bags Are Not an Environmental Hazard Progressive Bag Alliance 45
Chapter 2 Is Recycling Effective?
1 Recycling Is Effective Tom Zeller Jr. 52
2 Recycling Is Ineffective Per Bylund 58
3 Recycling Is Environmentally Friendly Economist 64
4 Recycling Is Not Environmentally Friendly Daniel K. Benjamin 71
5 Recycling Conserves Resources City of Fort Collins, Colorado 78
6 Recycling Wastes Resources Lucas McMillan 85
Chapter 3 What Role Should the Government Play in Garbage and Recycling Efforts?
1 Recycling Should Be Mandatory Kathleen Ochshorn 91
2 Recycling Should Not Be Mandatory Michael D. Shaw 97
3 The Government Should Lead Efforts to Recycle Electronics U.S. Government Accountability Office 103
4 The Government Should Not Lead Efforts to Recycle Electronics Dana Joel Gattuso 110
5 City Governments Should Ban Plastic Bags Jennifer Clapp 119
6 City Governments Should Not Ban Plastic Bags Juliet S. Samuel 125
Facts About Garbage and Recycling 131
Organizations to Contact 136
For Further Reading 142
Index 146
Picture Credits 152
