The Recycling Man

I love the idea of recycling, but why do we have to separate our recycling?  They always tell us to keep the paper separate from the cans and to keep the cans separate from the plastic.  I guess they want us to believe that it is because it makes it easier for processing, but I think it's just another way for the proverbial "man" to keep us down.  Just look at these earrings.  People probably tried to keep the recycled paper separate from the recycled cans here, but if the man had succeeded, we wouldn't be able to bring you these treats.