The solution for the paper coffee cup may lie not with building coalitions and markets — or with corporate social responsibility at all. “Landfills in Europe charge an average of $250 a ton. In America, it’s $40,” says Eco-Cycle’s Lombardi. “Ireland created a compost industry overnight by doubling landfill fees and creating a zero-interest loan for any composting business.” Economical technology exists today for 80% to 90% resource recovery through recycling and composting (including harvesting of methane for energy). There’s a lot of money to be made from an essentially zero-waste economy, but only if the right incentives are in place.
(Source: styro)
