Out of sight, out of mind

The expression 'out of sight, out of mind' was, as I understand it, originally intended to describe human relations, especially affection, and the toll that separation takes on loving relationships; in that it forms the opposing ranks to 'absence makes the heart grow fonder'. Of the two, the first is applied equally to inanimate objects as to living creatures, with 'civilised' humankind taking it to extremes with recyclable materials. In any case, out of sight means out of our sight, not necessarily total disappearance, as my photographs show.

We produce and use for our convenience many objects made of plastic each year. Some of these are deemed recyclable, others not, which in itself is a regrettable situation - why can we not, in the 21st century produce only recyclable plastics? Is it purely a matter of cost? Are a few extra pennies on an object so critical that we are happy to risk destroying our planet for?

Then we have the recycling issue: it seems that despite the availability of technologies to recycle a great deal of the materials used on a daily basis many western nations choose to send their stuff away to be recycled, probably in the full knowledge that there is little of the technology needed available at the destination. Many poorer countries have been accepting materials for - of course - what for them is loadsamoney, then disposing of it in any way possible other than recycling. And we are content because the plastics are no longer our problem - out of sight, out of mind - and, in any case, the other side is happy because we gave them money.

Only this is not a solution to a problem but purely a shift on to somebody else. We may have been content to keep on doing this, but the recipients have woken up and want no more of it. Now we will need to solve our own problem. Isn't it intriguing that the Donald, so keen that no American jobs are exported in other industries, is not clamouring and, indeed, helping to develop US recycling facilities that would make his great nation - and it is a great nation despite the Donald and his vileness - completely independent in that respect.

Meanwhile in Greece most everything to do with recycling seems to be delegated to local government, which is moneyless and, therefore, powerless to do much about it. Facilities are rudimentary, as is most peoples' attitude to it, with recycling bins more often than not used as rubbish bins, further discouraging any citizen wishing to recycle by making the think 'what's the point?' Shameful administration, shameful participants and schemes that barely work means that most recyclable material goes to waste.

Innovation is needed on recycling worldwide, better solutions, better systems for collecting and sorting, more information to help and convince the public to do the right thing. All this needs to happen now, not in due course or in the fullness of time; the problem is choking us. Yesterday I spent a good part of my time, along with others, cleaning an otherwise pristine beach from plastic of all kinds, finding as we did all sorts of plastic bits and pieces in the sea or on the sand - some of which filled the black plastic bag you can see, though there was more, much more... yuk!