Am I wasting my time?

So I diligently separate out all my paper, glass and tins for recycling, on the basis that by so doing I am making my small contribution towards a "greener" society. But am I? It seems that some councils are then sending stuff collected for recycling to other countries to be disposed of, with all the consequent pollution and greenhouse gases involved in transporting them. Would seem to negate the whole purpose of the exercise, wouldn't it?