“Residential recycling rates in Massachusetts have not budged in the past decade, even as environmental concerns have sparked ’sustainability’ movements and fueled markets for hybrid cars and green products. For years, environmentalists have preached the importance of recycling to relieve pressure on burgeoning landfills and reduce greenhouse gases released from decomposing trash. But to a startling degree, the refrain seems to have fallen on deaf ears. In 2008, according to preliminary statewide statistics, just over one-quarter of all residential trash was recycled, roughly the same percentage as 1997, according to a Globe review of figures kept by the state Department of Environmental Protection.” [editor’s note: One would note that this data comes from an allegedly “progressive” state that’s had mandatory bottle-recycling for over two decades; the hypocrisy reeks - SAT] (03/14/10)