1.Your neighbor says that he recycles when it is easy to do but that he is not willing to put any extra effort into recycling, because small personal efforts will not have much effect until structural, systemic changes in manufacturing and waste handling are put in place first. How would you respond?

2. A letter to the editor in your local paper says that newspaper recycling is not a good use of resources. The writer argues that newsprint comes from tree farms, not old-growth forests; that the trucks that pick up old newspapers add greenhouse gas emissions; that newsprint can only be recycled a limited number of times anyway; and that removing ink from newsprint requires the use of toxic chemicals. The writer argues that it would be better to place old newspapers in the garbage and let them be buried in landfills. Write a letter to the editor in response.

3. Some people have proposed imposing rules similar to automobile "takeback" programs whereby plastics manufacturers would be responsible for the plastic waste they generate. What do you think? Would such a program be feasible? How would it work? What problems do you think would need to be addressed?

4. Make a list of the type of waste you send to the landfill on a typical day at home, at work, and when traveling? What are some of the items? Can some be recycled?

5. What are your thoughts on the Amazing Eco House?