i must admit, every time i stand at those bins, sorting out trash and folding up cardboard, a little voice tells me i am wasting my time and energy.

uh oh.

You can take this video with some skepticism...

http://reddit.com/r/skeptic/comments/1xem9e/penn_teller_bullshit_season_2_ep_18_recycling/

http://reddit.com/r/videos/comments/zyo0s/penn_teller_bullshit_recycling/

That said, though it's not a great use if your time, recycling doesn't hurt anyone.

phew.  because no matter how much i think it's pointless, i can't seem to stop doing it!  :)