Recycling: Are the Benefits Worth the Cost?

It's been 20 years since John Tierney first argued in the New York Times magazine that the benefits of recycling were not worth the cost. Since then, the recycling movement has vastly expanded. But, this past weekend, Tierney wrote that it's as inefficient as ever — and he compared the movement to a "religious ritual." Angry defenders insist it protects the environment, saves public money and generates profits for a growing industry. With mandatory recycling on the increase, the argument's going on in more and more places. We hear from both sides.