Recycle everything

In a limited world, what is the best way to live, given unlimited demand? Simply recycle everything.

A new book, titled Revolutions that Made the Earth, has its authors argue that human civilisations in the future should emulate the biosphere and create what they name ‘Gaia devices’ – named after the Gaia theory that paints Earth as a self-regulating system – which recycle the materials and waste much more efficiently than is currently done.

Metals would still be mined, but not from conventional pits, but from the emerging centre - the cities with their heaps of discarded goods and scrap. Calling it a high energy, high recycling world, the authors such a revolution alone can sustain the demand from a rising population.

Give it a thought. So many computers, mobile phones, cameras, televisions, cars, etc are being dumped in the junkyard, not only forming an eyesore on the landscape but also forming a colossal waste. Isn't it time we gave a thought to recycling in a more serious manner? Even without a China restricting rare earth exports!