Question: Really -- why should I recycle when things just decompose in the landfill and make room for more trash, which is a good thing, right?

Answer: First of all three conditions are needed for decomposition to take place: air, water (moisture), and light. Those are the three same conditions that are removed, however, when items are placed in the landfill, compacted, and covered with dirt.

Yes, eventually organics and trash decompose in the landfill. However, when trash decomposes, it creates methane, a hazardous gas, which has a negative impact on the Earth's ozone layer. Methane gas coming from landfills can be used to generate energy, but until the landfill is generating enough methane gas it must be burned off to prevent the explosive gas from being released into the environment.

An important word here is "eventually." While we're waiting for those items to decompose, the landfill space is being filled. Currently we're looking at between 15 and 18 years or so of fillable space remaining at the Larimer County Landfill.

You also save money when you recycle. Recycling is free in Larimer County; disposing of items incurs a cost (per cubic yard plus the State of Colorado surcharge.) Currently there are no laws requiring you to recycle such commodities as cardboard, glass, paper, aluminum cans, etc. So, yes, it is your choice whether to place these items in the recycling containers or in the landfill.

The recycling process creates less pollution than producing new products from virgin materials. Recycling helps to conserve the Earth's resources and slows down the using up of non-renewable resources such as water and oil.

So, yes, the time, effort, and commitment to collect, sort, and transport those recyclable items is well worth it.

