Recyle cost vs Prodcution from raw materials cost?
March 17th, 2010 | 
Author: I was talking to someone who said that it takes more energy and money to recyle paper than it is to make it from raw materials.
Things to consider (all following situations is under the assumed condition that there are enough recyling facilities around so transportation won’t be a major factor.)
-What’s being recycled (paper, plastic and metal)
-Enviromental impact
-Energy cost
-Money
Please back your answer with sources or be someone that’s capable of answer this question with expert opinion.
Posted in Green Q&A | 
Tags: energy cost, impact energy, money, paper plastic, raw materials, recycled paper
recycle!
I actually wrote an entire series on this exact issue, so far i have only researched paper, plastic and aluminum.
Here are the three articles:
http://www.neutralexistence.com/blog/is-recycling-really-better-for-the-environment-part-1-paper/
http://www.neutralexistence.com/blog/is-recycling-really-better-for-the-environment-part-2-plastics/
http://www.neutralexistence.com/blog/is-recycling-really-better-for-the-environment-part-3-aluminum/
Hope that helps.
Unfortunately, it seems there’s no real concrete answer for this question- the "myth" comes from the beginning of modern recycling programs, when recycling a product would cost several times more than simply creating a new one. However, with present-day processes, recycling CAN save money… depending on the market. Plastics are especially volatile- the price for a new plastics product fluctuates with the oil market (so, currently, it’s probably a massive savings to recycle.)
However, in the end, I suspect the article I’ve linked is the best answer I can give- It really depends on your perspective. Are you going to go for hard numbers (As I personally do,) and count the pure cost, or do you want to go a bit more "big picture" and count things like increased lifespan for dumps, energy costs, etc.? In Nova Scotia, depending on what you count, the number is anywhere from $18 Million in the hole, to $125 Million saved (That’s when adding in things like "the effects of landfills on quality of life.")
even if it costs a bit more, money isnt the point, saving the planet and not wasting is the way to go!