GoKawiilWorks in Progress essay argues landfill often beats recycling on cost and environment
Writers Alex Chalmers and Rob Wiblin make the case that landfilling waste, when done properly, is frequently cheaper, cleaner, and more environmentally sound than recycling or reusing materials. They point to plastic bags versus cotton totes as a key example: plastic bags require a fraction of the energy to produce and dispose of compared to the water- and energy-intensive process of making reusable cotton alternatives.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The piece challenges a widely accepted environmental assumption that recycling and reuse are always superior to disposal, suggesting that policy and consumer choices driven by that assumption may actually increase energy use and emissions. If the analysis holds, it could reshape debates over plastic bag bans, packaging regulations, and waste management strategy at a policy level.
- Single-use plastic bags can require far less energy to produce than reusable cotton bags.
- Modern landfill practices may be safer and more sustainable than commonly believed.
- The essay questions default assumptions that recycling is always the greener choice.
Simplehuman Dual Compartment Recycler Trash Can — If you're rethinking how your household sorts waste, a dual-compartment bin makes the trash-versus-recycling decision effortless at the point of disposal. Simplehuman's recycler keeps both streams tidy behind one lid, with a step pedal and liner pockets that make swapping bags quick. It's a sturdy kitchen upgrade whether you end up sorting more or, as the article suggests, less.
See Simplehuman Dual Compartment Recycler Trash Can on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: worksinprogress.news — Alex Chalmers, 2026-09-02
Published there as: “Just Bury Your Trash”
Read the original report → The summary and analysis above are GoKawiil's own, written from reporting by the source above. Facts and quotes belong to the original publisher.