Tierney presents arguments which propose that current recycling programs cost more than they are worth. For those around on June 30, 1996, this article has a similar theme to his first attack on recycling, "Recycling is Garbage" also published in the New York Times. Those who read his pieces will find Tierney to be a good writer, creatively comparing America and its recycling efforts in his first piece to the story of the pilgrim and muckraker in John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress. He builds a strong case. You can just imagine Tierney building an argument as a debate team member.

And perhaps that's what he's doing. In a 2001 profile about him written for The American Prospect by Chris Mooney, he was asked about his New York Times piece. Tierney replied, "I could write something about the good side of recycling ... But everybody else writes that."

His recent article has been refuted by many recycling advocates. Here are a sampling of posts we think are especially well-done. For a quick summary of the economic and environmental benefits of recycling, read the Waste Dive article, "Insiders' View on the Economic Benefits of Recycling," which was written by SWANA Executive Director and CEO David Biderman, along with representatives of Keep America Beautiful and the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries.