Recycling some myths

In chapter 19 "The Recycling Myth" in Facts not Fear Michael Sanera and Jane S. Shaw repeat many of the anti-recycling myths that have been debunked by the Environmental Defense Fund and the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. They also repeat some myths about aluminum can pull tabs that were investigated by Barbara Mikkelson as part of the Urban Legends Wooden Spoons web site

Facts not Fear (page 226) states that the pull tabs are "of a higher quality" and are worth more than the cans themselves. But Mikkelson discovered that the tabs are made of the same materials as the cans, and are not worth more.  In fact, in some areas they are worthless, because some recycling centers will not take them

Facts not Fear (page 226) notes that funds for the Ronald McDonald House have been raised with pull tabs.  McDonalds has collected pull tabs, but not because they are more valuable.  It is more like making the best of a bad situation;  if people are determined to collect tabs they should be put to good use.  As Mikkelson points out, much more money could be raised by recycling the whole cans and donating the funds.  Facts not Fear states that the program has spread to other charities.  It must be noted that some charities are definitely NOT collecting pull tabs.  In particular the National Kidney Foundation, which has been plagued by rumors that the tabs will buy time on kidney dialysis machines.

Facts not Fear (page 226) claims that collecting tabs is less cumbersome than collecting cans. This may have been true when the tabs were designed to come off the cans, but now the tabs are firmly attached.  You have to work to remove them.  And, they are not worth very much. According to Mikkelson a million tabs are only worth about $300. That means that you would have to take the tabs off 100 cans to collect 3 cents worth.  

Comment

The myths about pull tabs have been very harmful.  As Mikkelson discovered, whole communities have saved tabs for years, only to discover that they are worth no more than the cans themselves (and in some cases no one would take the tabs at all).  Recycling centers, aluminum companies and charities have all been plagued with rumors.  Sanera and Shaw have done everyone a great disservice by repeating some of these rumors

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Written by Jim Norton

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