Generally when you're on target, you catch flak.
He's right. Metals are recyclable - particularly aluminum, as its manufacture is such an energy-intensive process.
Glass is to a certain degree, but less than metal. Plastic and Paper.....well, they're recyclable in good times. When people and companies are willing to pay more money for a lesser product so that they can "feel good" about "being green". Otherwise, it just winds up in a landfill with everything else.
'Tis non-PC to point out that these things are more about FEEEEEEEEEEEELings, and less about reality, though.
In my old hometown, they sent out a specific list of what could and couldn't be recycled, and how to do it. Included were "tin cans, thoroughly rinsed". I draw the line at washing my garbage. Into the trash they went.
Guy I work with is an enviro-nut. His nose was seriously out of joint about his town...they discontinued recycling pickup because it wasn't cost effective. I naively told him, "Don't sweat it, there's a recycling pickup place up the road from where I live (would be 20 min or so from where we both work). I know the guy who runs it. I'll get you directions and ask when it's open."
Cow-orker's indignant response? "I'm not going to drive all the way out there to recycle!!!! They should come to ME." Thus proving that it's less about 'doing the right thing' and more about him. As I suspected all along. :-)
My town didn't start recycling cans/bottles until they installed water meters on most of the homes. Then came the 'rinse thoroughly' newletters - Yeah, OK....NOT
I always chuckle about that one. My township has the same guidelines. These are probably the same people who gnash their teeth about water being wasted in flushing toilets.