They told me to quit recycling (What?)
By LK2018
@Letranknight2015 (52518)
Philippines
August 25, 2025 8:10pm CST
Today is my second day of staying up late because of my torn clothes. I went out to the kitchen and dining room to greet them good morning. My aunts told me to stop recycling and that no one was inspected.
I don't know how I'll react because I just woke up. But I'm offended because the barangay has been telling us for a long time that we should recycle garbage, it's been 2013 and I have notes. I've heard a lot from them that are really insulting. But this is too much.
Even my mother hasn't told me to stop since I did it. Besides, the garbage will get even bigger if I don't recycle.
But if they see something they don't like, they'll be really angry. I'm sorry but I just have to vent my anger now that I've come to my senses a little.
What do you think? They don't know me. They complimented me because I'm diligent about recycling. Just because others aren't doing it, I shouldn't do it either. It's embarrassing and annoying.
5 people like this
5 responses
@mynameiskate (2604)
•
29 Aug
Did you ask your aunty why she thought recycling was not the thing to do? Maybe she doesn't care or doesn't believe in it. Depending on what you are recycling it can be a good thing to do or it isn't working. There are a lot of factors. Paper and metals make the most sense but plastics not sure about? It might be more expensive and harder on the environment to recycle some things?
1 person likes this
@Letranknight2015 (52518)
• Philippines
30 Aug
I watch that any form of plastic can be turned back into fuel. @mynameiskate Not sure what equipment they use but I saw it in a documentary once. I am mostly separating anything that is plastic alone. But not sure if plastic is put to the right place.
1 person likes this
@mynameiskate (2604)
•
30 Aug
@Letranknight2015 There are couple of problems with plastic recycling. There are so many products and containers that use a combination of different materials. Tin cans for example use a plastic coating, plastic and paper containers makes separation difficult. At a recycle factory items are discarded and creating non-recycled waste.
My concern in returning plastic to fuel is that the process is vented to the atmosphere (not good) and then there are toxic substances involved which may not be completely separated making the fuel much more toxic than any other fuel source?
@Traceyjayne (4755)
• United Kingdom
29 Aug
Carry on with your recycling. You are doing the right thing for you and the planet. Don’t let others persuade you to do the wrong thing.
1 person likes this
@Letranknight2015 (52518)
• Philippines
30 Aug
Thank you very much @Traceyjayne I wish I could do more than just simply recycling.
@rsa101 (40016)
• Philippines
26 Aug
I completely understand where you’re coming from. It can feel disheartening when your efforts to do something positive, like recycling, aren’t recognized or even discouraged by people close to you. But you’re right—just because others don’t do it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. In fact, your diligence shows that you care not just about your own space, but about the environment and community as well.
Sometimes people dismiss what they don’t fully understand, or they get annoyed simply because your actions highlight what they themselves aren’t doing. Don’t let that discourage you. If recycling matters to you and you know its value, then you should continue. In the long run, it’s a habit that benefits everyone—even those who may not appreciate it now. Keep going, you’re on the right path. 
1 person likes this
@Letranknight2015 (52518)
• Philippines
29 Aug
I've been doing it for almost a decade @rsa101 .The difference now is that I already have garbage water drum storage over. I don't understand, they were doing it since being 30 years in the US, they should be commending me for doing it. Besides, It gets filled right away and double the cover plastic on the garbage.
1 person likes this
@brokenbee (11756)
• Philippines
26 Aug
Just continue with your recycling... Recycling is such a simple step but it's helping protect our planet for the next generation. What you are doing truly matters.
1 person likes this
@Letranknight2015 (52518)
• Philippines
29 Aug
It's disheartening to hear them say that. They've been living in the US for more than a decade and they come back here and tell not to do it. Besides they're old anyways, they don't care about it anymore.
@YuleimaVzla (1769)
• Maracaibo, Venezuela
26 Aug
Well, what I could tell you is don't pay attention to foolish words, even when they may come from loved ones and friends, it doesn't mean that your family doesn't love you.But sometimes people are very rude when it comes to expressing their ideas and end up saying insolences.But you must know yourself and I think you have already done so because you have described how you are the proud person who makes you feel about recycling.So nothing others tell you can change your way of thinking or doing things, as long as you keep doing what you love, no one is going to stop you.
1 person likes this
@Letranknight2015 (52518)
• Philippines
29 Aug
They really just don't understand @YuleimaVzla I'm glad that no one in the family tried to stop me from recycling. I'm not doing it anymore because the barangay tells me, its become a habit of mine already. And I like doing it.
