Are American's Hypocrirtes when it comes to Recycling?

 

Americans complain about recycling, but in reality are we nothing more than hypocrites because we haven't done enough to combat the waste management issue we face? Let's take a moment to appreciate Singapore for setting a great example when it comes to managing waste. While other countries in Southeast Asia are struggling with piles of plastic and trash, Singapore is keeping its streets and beaches clean and providing its citizens with clean air and clean electricity.

With almost all non-recyclable waste being incinerated and properly managed, Singapore is leading the way in waste management. It's inspiring to see how they are taking steps to keep their environment clean and beautiful.

Let's all do our part in reducing waste and taking care of our planet. Together, we can make a difference!  Unfortunately, the United States is falling way behind in its waste management responsibilities.

It looks like we're facing a bit of a time crunch with our waste disposal solution. Plastics are the biggest contributor to our waste issue, with a whopping 763,400 tons disposed of last year and only 6% recycled. The amount of plastic waste generated per person has gone up by nearly 20% in the last 15 years, with each person tossing out an average of 13 bags a day.

 Let's join forces to combat the plastic pollution crisis! Together, we can make a difference by reducing waste and adopting sustainable practices.  

It's time for the government to act and implement policies to tackle single-use plastics. Experts say that our environment is at stake, and we need to protect it for future generations. Then why hasn’t the United States taken the lead in producing recycling facilities like Singapore and helping produce clean energy while recycling our waste? Apparently, we don’t have the technology or even the engineering skills to produce a waste management system like Singapore and Dubai have created.

 The NEA has acknowledged the need for long-term solutions to manage waste and extend the lifespan of our landfills. Recycling efforts have been crucial in curbing the amount of trash incinerated, but more can be done.

While Southeast Asia faces a pressing issue with plastic pollution, exacerbated by China's waste import ban, the United States is in the same boat. Our landfills are overflowing and we can’t afford to ship our waste to other countries to discard the waste. The recent tragic incident of a whale with plastic in its stomach serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for change.

While Singapore and Dubai are taking a proactive stance on climate action the rest of the world is not helping combat this issue. Let's work together towards a sustainable future! But climate groups have urged governments of the wealthy city-state, which enjoys broad support from its electorate, to spend more political capital on tackling waste in a convenience culture where deliveries and take-out meals are common.

Elizabeth Kilbride is a Writer and Editor with forty years of experience in writing with 12 of those years in the online content sphere. Author of 5 books and a Graduate with an Associate of Arts from Pheonix University in Business Management, then a degree in Mass Communication and Cyber Analysis from Phoenix University, then on to Walden University for her master’s in criminology with emphasis on Cybercrime and Identity Theft and is currently studying for her Ph.D. degree in Criminology, her work portfolio includes coverage of politics, current affairs, elections, history, and true crime. In her spare time, Elizabeth is also a gourmet cook, life coach, and avid artist, proficient in watercolor, acrylic, pen and ink, Gouache, and pastels. As a political operative having worked on over 300 campaigns during her career, Elizabeth has turned many life events into books and movie scripts while using history to weave interesting storylines. She also runs 6 blogs that range from art to life coaching, to food, to writing, and opinion or history pieces each week.