While both UF and the city continue to push recycling services, several experts say those types of programs might not be enough to make the necessary environmental impact.
"Recycling is not bad in itself, but it is a distraction from the consumption of products and containers," said Allan L. Griff, a California-based engineering consultant, in a phone interview.
"If you use nothing, that's the smallest carbon footprint of all," Griff said.
Still, both the university and the city are continuing to expand recycling programs.
On Feb. 1, Gainesville broadened its program to collect office paper and junk mail.
Last December, the city offered tips on how to recycle Christmas trees.
And this Wednesday and Thursday, Alachua County will offer businesses free recycling of electronics waste as the county's Environmental Protection Department and Office of Waste Alternatives kick off a new "e-scrap" program.
Dale Morris, solid waste coordinator of UF's Physical Plant Department, said the university has recently instituted recycling programs at Gator Dining and is working to get more indoor recycling bins.
The university is also competing in Recyclemania, a 10-week recycling contest among colleges. In pounds recycled per person, UF is currently 82nd out of 400 schools.
Dedee DeLongpré, UF's director of sustainability, said recycling is still better than throwing things away.
"If it goes in a landfill, it's not going anywhere," DeLongpré said.
But recycling can't be the only answer, she said.
People should also look for ways to reduce consumption, such as buying durable products that can be reused or boycotting those with excessive packaging, she said.
"If something comes with a whole lot of packaging, I write a letter to the company and say, 'Why does it have to have 92 pieces of plastic for this one little thing?'" she said.
Morris said the university itself is working on using fewer materials.
For example, he said, purchasers are working with textbook companies to use textbook editions for a longer time, reducing wasted paper.
"We still want to recycle what's out there, but we definitely believe in reuse," he said.
Griff said he didn't think people will ever move past recycling and reduce their consumption.
"You're dealing really with religious behavior," he said.
But DeLongpré said she believes people who recycle are willing to do more.
"People understand recycling," she said.
"Oftentimes for us, it's a point of entry for a conversation about something more impactful."
