--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Years ago, we all talked about recycling…" description: "\"Years ago, we all talked about recycling and not dumping things down your drain and all of that, but talking doesn't help much. Basically, it's going t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/521/ted-danson-6752_drains_years-ago-we-all-talked-about-recycling_1906236.jpg" --- # Years ago, we all talked about recycling and not dumping… ![“Years ago, we all talked about recycling and not dumping things down your drain and all of that, but talking doesn't help much. Basically, it's going to have to be legislation because the impact is so huge and diversified.” quote by Ted Danson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/521/ted-danson-6752_drains_years-ago-we-all-talked-about-recycling_1906236.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/521/ted-danson-6752_drains_years-ago-we-all-talked-about-recycling_1906236.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/521/ted-danson-6752_drains_years-ago-we-all-talked-about-recycling_1906236.jpg) > “Years ago, we all talked about recycling and not dumping things down your drain and all of that, but talking doesn't help much. Basically, it's going to have to be legislation because the impact is so huge and diversified.” [Ted Danson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-danson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Discussions about recycling are insufficient; strong laws are needed due to the massive, varied impact. **In simple terms:** Talk alone won’t fix waste; legislation is essential. Key Takeaway Advocate for strong environmental policies. Themes environment policy action Mood urgent determined Type activist political When to use this quote - municipal waste management - industry regulation - public advocacy Key Concepts sustainability governance Questions to Reflect On - What policies could most reduce waste? - How can citizens influence lawmakers? A Different Perspective Legislation can be slow and politically contested. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Drains](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/drains/) [Environment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/environment/) [Going Legislation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/going-legislation-2843609/) [Helping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/helping/) [Huge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/huge/) [Impact](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impact/) [Legislation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/legislation/) [Legislation Impact](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/legislation-impact-2843608/) [Recycling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/recycling/) [Recycling Dumping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/recycling-dumping-2843610/) [Talked Recycling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/talked-recycling-2843607/) [Talking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/talking/) [Years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years/) [Years ago](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years-ago/) ## Related quotes > [I think there are probably a handful of real character actors in this business. The rest of us are recycling. So now I'm Sam…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-danson/i-think-there-are-probably-a-handful-of-real-character-actors-in-this/) [Ted Danson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-danson/) > [Individuals of all ages can make an important difference in the overall health of our ocean by the actions they take every day. Simple…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-danson/individuals-of-all-ages-can-make-an-important-difference-in-the/) [Ted Danson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-danson/) > [We have a project with Unocal here in Los Angeles, where we as an environmental organization, the oil company, and the state all get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-danson/we-have-a-project-with-unocal-here-in-los-angeles-where-we-as-an/) [Ted Danson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-danson/) > [“A Green Song (to sing at the bottle-bank) One green bottle, Drop it in the bank. Ten green bottles, What a lot we drank.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendy-cope/a-green-song-to-sing-at-the-bottle-bank-one-green-bottle-drop-it-in/) [Wendy Cope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendy-cope/) > ["Solid wastes" are the discarded leftovers of our advanced consumer society. This growing mountain of garbage and trash represents not only an attitude of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/solid-wastes-are-the-discarded-leftovers-of-our-advanced-consumer/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [God help anyone who disobeys my recycling system. I have all the separated bins. I'm very adamant about it because I try to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-evangelista/god-help-anyone-who-disobeys-my-recycling-system-i-have-all-the/) [Linda Evangelista](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-evangelista/) > [Unlike a fountain that circulates the same water in an enclosed, perpetually recycling system, a human being circulates thoughts in an unlimited reservoir of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-nazarian/unlike-a-fountain-that-circulates-the-same-water-in-an-enclosed/) [Vera Nazarian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-nazarian/) > [I guess many game music fans prefer original soundtrack albums.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nobuo-uematsu/i-guess-many-game-music-fans-prefer-original-soundtrack-albums/) [Nobuo Uematsu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nobuo-uematsu/) > [Going green doesn’t start with doing green acts - it starts with a shift in consciousness. This shift allows you to recognize that with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-somerhalder/going-green-doesn-t-start-with-doing-green-acts-it-starts-with-a/) [Ian Somerhalder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-somerhalder/) > [You have to keep recycling yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/you-have-to-keep-recycling-yourself/) [Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/) > [The purpose - where I start - is the idea of use. It is not recycling, it's reuse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/issey-miyake/the-purpose-where-i-start-is-the-idea-of-use-it-is-not-recycling-it-s/) [Issey Miyake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/issey-miyake/) > [“Societies only have waste products while acquiring fresh raw material remains a cheaper option than recycling.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-f-hamilton/societies-only-have-waste-products-while-acquiring-fresh-raw-material/) [Peter F. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-f-hamilton/) > [One sort of believes in recycling. But one believes in it as a kind of palliative to the gods.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fay-weldon/one-sort-of-believes-in-recycling-but-one-believes-in-it-as-a-kind-of/) [Fay Weldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fay-weldon/) > [Reusing and recycling our materials is the most important thing we can do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-reed/reusing-and-recycling-our-materials-is-the-most-important-thing-we/) [Nikki Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-reed/) > [I own about 300 pairs of shoes. When I start to go over 300, I have mini-sales from my closet and give the money…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stacy-london/i-own-about-300-pairs-of-shoes-when-i-start-to-go-over-300-i-have/) [Stacy London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stacy-london/) ## More by Ted Danson > [To grow up knowing you're loved is astounding. It's a huge gift to a child.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-danson/to-grow-up-knowing-you-re-loved-is-astounding-it-s-a-huge-gift-to-a/) [Ted Danson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-danson/) > [If you actively do something, it will stop making you feel like a victim and you'll start feeling like part of the solution, which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-danson/if-you-actively-do-something-it-will-stop-making-you-feel-like-a/) [Ted Danson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-danson/) > [I don't think it's a matter of, do you win the game or not, it's how gracefully do you play it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-danson/i-don-t-think-it-s-a-matter-of-do-you-win-the-game-or-not-it-s-how/) [Ted Danson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-danson/) > [The environmental movement, like all political processes, reacts best to disasters. But these are very slow, very gradual disasters in the making.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-danson/the-environmental-movement-like-all-political-processes-reacts-best/) [Ted Danson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-danson/) > [Centuries-old habitats such as coral gardens are destroyed in an instant by bottom trawls, pulverized by weighted nets into barren plains. And global carbon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-danson/centuries-old-habitats-such-as-coral-gardens-are-destroyed-in-an/) [Ted Danson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-danson/) > [The pressure isn't on my brain, but on my mouth. I realized Sam Malone said very little, he spoke in little sentences. Which is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-danson/the-pressure-isn-t-on-my-brain-but-on-my-mouth-i-realized-sam-malone/) [Ted Danson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-danson/) > [I became interested in ocean issues in the 1980s when I couldn't take my daughters swimming because of pollution at our local beach. Twenty-five…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-danson/i-became-interested-in-ocean-issues-in-the-1980s-when-i-couldn-t-take/) [Ted Danson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-danson/) > [I think the struggle, whenever you make a film or television movie based on a real person's life, is finding a dramatic arc that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-danson/i-think-the-struggle-whenever-you-make-a-film-or-television-movie/) [Ted Danson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-danson/) > [I am forever grateful for 'Cheers.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-danson/i-am-forever-grateful-for-cheers/) [Ted Danson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-danson/) > [I feel very strongly that you can't just beat people up anymore; you have to work hand in hand and find ways to compromise,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-danson/i-feel-very-strongly-that-you-can-t-just-beat-people-up-anymore-you/) [Ted Danson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-danson/) > [I was at our beautiful home in Martha's Vineyard, near Boston, sitting on the porch looking at the ocean when I got a phone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-danson/i-was-at-our-beautiful-home-in-martha-s-vineyard-near-boston-sitting/) [Ted Danson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-danson/) > [You have to be an optimist, right? You have to be critical, then you have to be an optimist. Or else you're really stupid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-danson/you-have-to-be-an-optimist-right-you-have-to-be-critical-then-you/) [Ted Danson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-danson/) > [I am a bit of a Pollyanna - I spend most of my day happy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-danson/i-am-a-bit-of-a-pollyanna-i-spend-most-of-my-day-happy/) [Ted Danson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-danson/) > [Around year seven or eight, you'd kill yourself when you realized Norm had to enter and you had to come up with a new…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-danson/around-year-seven-or-eight-you-d-kill-yourself-when-you-realized-norm/) [Ted Danson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-danson/) > [There should be a list of people who can and cannot clone themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-danson/there-should-be-a-list-of-people-who-can-and-cannot-clone-themselves/) [Ted Danson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-danson/) [Explore all 97 Ted Danson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-danson/) ## More Drains quotes > [When they started to drain a swamp where birds and fish had lived, for a new housing development down the road from his apartment,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maile-meloy/when-they-started-to-drain-a-swamp-where-birds-and-fish-had-lived-for/) [Maile Meloy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maile-meloy/) > [People project a grey energy that is very destructive to weaken you, to drain you - just as the snake uses position to capture…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/people-project-a-grey-energy-that-is-very-destructive-to-weaken-you/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [It was October again ... a glorious October, all red and gold, with mellow mornings when the valleys were filled with delicate mists as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-maud-montgomery/it-was-october-again-a-glorious-october-all-red-and-gold-with-mellow/) [Lucy Maud Montgomery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-maud-montgomery/) > [Whatever excites you, go do it. Whatever drains you, stop doing it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-sivers/whatever-excites-you-go-do-it-whatever-drains-you-stop-doing-it/) [Derek Sivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-sivers/) > [I find Nigeria very frustrating. I am not alone in this. There are many Nigerians abroad. As you know, the brain drain is just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chinua-achebe/i-find-nigeria-very-frustrating-i-am-not-alone-in-this-there-are-many/) [Chinua Achebe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chinua-achebe/) > [Ender stepped under the water and rinsed himself, took the sweat of combat and let it run down the drain. All gone, except they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-scott-card/ender-stepped-under-the-water-and-rinsed-himself-took-the-sweat-of/) [Orson Scott Card](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-scott-card/) > [Holy is the dish and drain, the soap and sink, and the cup and plate and the warm wool socks, and the cold white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-newcomer/holy-is-the-dish-and-drain-the-soap-and-sink-and-the-cup-and-plate/) [Carrie Newcomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-newcomer/) > [If Under fell, if Over leaped, If death was life and Death life reaped, Something rises from the gloom, To make the Underland a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/if-under-fell-if-over-leaped-if-death-was-life-and-death-life-reaped/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [The culture of independent film criticism has totally gone down the drain and this seems to come with the territory of the consumer age…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wim-wenders/the-culture-of-independent-film-criticism-has-totally-gone-down-the/) [Wim Wenders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wim-wenders/) > [Common courtesy dictates that we never drain the lifeblood of anyone to whom we've been formally introduced.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelley-armstrong/common-courtesy-dictates-that-we-never-drain-the-lifeblood-of-anyone/) [Kelley Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelley-armstrong/) > [People only love you as long as they're getting something of you, but the minute you say something they don't want to hear or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-colfer/people-only-love-you-as-long-as-they-re-getting-something-of-you-but/) [Chris Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-colfer/) > [Jace looked as if she had slapped him. "Why are you determined not to believe us?" "Because she loves you," said Valentine. Clary felt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/jace-looked-as-if-she-had-slapped-him-why-are-you-determined-not-to/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [I'm not suggesting our music is the only music, but I am suggesting that there are certain elements in America's culture that are so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-otis/i-m-not-suggesting-our-music-is-the-only-music-but-i-am-suggesting/) [Johnny Otis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-otis/) > [If a country can't save itself through the volunteer service of its own free people, then I say : Let the damned thing go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/if-a-country-can-t-save-itself-through-the-volunteer-service-of-its/) [Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/) > [I have already settled it for myself so flattery and criticism go down the same drain and I am quite free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-have-already-settled-it-for-myself-so-flattery-and-criticism-go/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Browse all 338 Drains quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/drains/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Years ago, we all talked about recycling and not dumping things down your drain and all of that, but talking doesn't help much. 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