You're right, it is a dumb question! You obviously do not know anything about the process. Can you tell me how much energy is 'wasted' using this process? No? Didn't think so. . .

Maybe because it takes less energy to convert plastic into oil than it does to pump crude out of the ground, refine it and then make plastic? In case it escaped you, not all plastic can be recycled as plastic and is sent to land fill, incinerated or it 'escapes' and hides itself in our oceans. Since you find it so wasteful, you should also ask yourself why there are so many companies all over the world trying to achieve the same goal? Obviously they don't think it is wasteful.

I'm willing to bet you could walk into any grade school and they would easily understand that it makes sense to recycle & reuse our resources rather than to simply piss them away out of sheer arrogance.

If you really cannot see the logic behind this process, then this investment is simply not for you and maybe you can fine another 'Eco' project that you can bankroll.