From your profile "I'm also fascinated in the psychology of belief."
If the environmental movement can come to understand how its belief in recycling in fact subverts its goals of environmental protection then the world will start to change.
If the environmental movement can come to understand how its belief in recycling in fact subverts its goals of environmental protection then the world will start to change.
"I feel OK, I recycle, it's the best we can do."
You have both done well to articulate that it doesn't feel right, but do you have any actual proof against the value of recycling? And I don't mean trade-offs, I acknowledge recycling isn't perfect, but there are plenty of statistics that prove it is worthwhile.
If you can't find them ... that would tell you something.