by Alexander Volokh and Lynn Scarlett

About the authors: Alexander Volokh is an environmental researcher at the Reason Public Policy Institute (RPPI), a conservative think tank. Lynn Scarlett is the executive director of RPPI and the author of several papers on environmental issues.

“What a Waste. Recycling squanders money and good will—and doesn’t do much for the environment, either.” This was the cover blurb for John Tierney’s story in The New York Times Magazine picturesquely titled “Recycling Is Garbage.” Lest the reader miss the point, the subhead in the article explained: “Rinsing out tuna cans and tying up newspapers may make you feel virtuous, but recycling could be America’s most wasteful activity.” This was, of course, anathema to most mainstream environmental organizations...