Reply to this Discussion Topic and give a feedback on claim and reasons, rhetorical context, and any other rhetorical elements.
Christina Sinor
RE: 6.1 Discussions
Position Statement:
In my exploratory essay I explored if recycling was worth doing at all. After further research I have come to an answer. Recycling is worth doing because despite the cons of recycling there are strong pros to keep recycling. I will contrast the qualities of recycling and argue that recycling makes a noticeably positive impact on the earth. There will be a lot of negative articles about recycling, but I will argue that the United States should keep recycling despite the current state of the recycling system.
Rhetorical Context:
The issue surrounding recycling is about if recycling is worth doing because the recycling rates for some materials are very low. Recycling does reduce environmental pollution but also produces pollution itself. Recycling is expensive and can be difficult to do correctly. Recycling keeps waste out of landfills. The people affected by all these issues are the people who recycle, the people who work at recycling plants, the industries that make recycled materials and the people who see plastic pollution often.
Audience Analysis:
My target audience is people who do not recycle, people who recycle incorrectly, and industries who do not use recycled materials.
Claim:
The recycling system in the United States needs to be innovated and restructured to work more efficiently if recycling is going to be sustainable in the future.
Reasons:
The collection methods for recycled materials can be improved and less labor would have to be spent on sorting it.
If more people were educated about recycling, then materials would not be contaminated and transported to landfills.
If there were more recycling regulations, then recycling participation would increase.
Qualifiers and Exceptions:
Recycling has a positive impact except when recycling is not done correctly. Recycling plastic is difficult and makes recycling seem like it is not worth doing.
Objection/Rebuttal:
Some may argue that recycling rates since China closed its doors have been extremely low and the United States no longer has a way to recycle most of the generated municipal waste. Although recycling rates have been low, there are many new developments that have been increasing the efficiency of the system.
Common Ground:
There is the economic side the argument that claims recycling is expensive and not worth doing. The other side is that recycling is a necessary cost to reduce pollution. The common ground is that recycling prevents the government from spending money on cleaning up the oceans and cities so recycling saves money and the environment.
Solution:
My solution is to bring the recycling center up to date. The recycling system is outdated and structured around selling a third of the recyclables to China. In 2021 many factors have changed that affect the recycling system. Plastic is increasing exponentially, people recycle incorrectly, recycled materials cannot compete economically with non-recyclable materials and many other factors. The recycling system needs to be adjusted to suit the United States future.
