Why is Recycling So Important?

Why Should I Recycle Anyways?

There's plenty of facts out there on why recycling is beneficial. The world population is growing, not shrinking, and currently each  human being adds significant waste to the planet over his or her lifetime. In New York alone, people produce enough trash in one day to fill the entire Empire State building. The frustrating thing is, in most developed countries it's not all too difficult to make a difference. And what a difference we can make. Recycling a single edition of the New York Times saves 75,000 trees.

What Exactly Is Recycling?

Recycling basically involves reusing materials. A recyclable product is turned back into a raw form that can be used to create a new and different product. Not only are natural resources limited, but recycling efforts can significantly reduce additional waste that will not only harm the planet, but future generations as well.

What Can I Recycle?

Check out our article on recycling in Winston-Salem for a comprehensive list of materials that can be recycled. Please note, however, depending on your area, not all materials may be recyclable. Check with your local recycling center to find out what you can and cannot recycle. You'll notice that recyclable products are labeled with numbers from 1 to 7, 1 being the most recyclable, and 7 being the least recyclable.

Purchase Products Made from Recycled Materials

You're no doubt aware by now why recycling is so important. However, the recycling effort involves not only recycling existing products, but purchasing products that have already been recycled. Today, thanks to a strong push in the green movement recently, you'll notice more and more products made from recycled materials. To purchase products made from recycled materials, simply look for a recycling symbol on the product. Every day grocery items including paper towels, cardboard boxes, plastic containers, crayons, ink cartridges, paint, garden supplies such as hoses, furniture, wallpaper, and even garbage cans - are all recyclable.

Reduce the Amount of Trash You Create

Another way to help the planet is to simply cut down on the amount of non-recyclable materials you throw out. What's a good way to do this? One of the most effective ways to help us to bring your own reusable cloth bag to purchase groceries. If you forget, insist on paper, and pack as many goods in one bag as possible, without double bagging. Try to reduce the amount of packaging you purchase by buying products in bulk. Have any paper statements that are normally mailed to you - such as bills, financial statements, newsletters, etc. - e-mailed to you instead. By products that are packaged in cardboard or paper board instead of Styrofoam. Try to avoid disposable items such as paper plates, cups, and utensils. When wrapping presents, opt for reusable gift bags instead of wrapping paper - or simply reuse wrapping paper.

Why Recycling is So Important

Every day we use a variety of products in our households and work places to fulfill our basic needs. Most of these products and their packaging are wasted and dumped in bins, which end up in land fill sites. We ignore the fact that a major portion of our waste can be recycled or reused. It would also be very responsible of us, if we could reduce the consumption of products to the maximum extent possible. So, the three R’s of sustainability are Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

The Three R's of Sustainability - Reduce, Reuse, & Recycle

Recycling things involves using a product in part or as a whole, back in the production of similar or same products again. In regular production, the use if raw materials is sourced directly from natural resources for example, fresh pulp for paper for which trees have to be cut down. Recycled paper can very well be used in producing new paper without compromising the quality of the final product.

The same applies to most of the products like metal, glass and plastics. The energy saved due to use of recycled materials also adds up to the overall savings. Therefore, it is only a matter of choice and attitude towards protecting and enriching the environment we live in. We have to consider the fact that demand drives the supply and controlling demand can lead to reduced exploitation of natural resources.

Help Yourself as Well as the Planet - Make a Habit out of Recycling

There are many good reasons for taking up recycling in your routine, ranging from a personal level to a global advantage.

Recycling your waste makes you more responsible in the way you use and dispose your stuff. It is evident from studies that people instinctively cut down on buying unwanted things from the supermarket. They think of how to dispose of the packaging or the product after use before even buying them. As a result, people end up saving a considerable amount of money.

In addition to this the initiatives from the local councils and government bodies to collect stuff for recycling can very well be made use of. In a social sense, people can take pride in recycling their waste as they are helping to reduce global environmental damage and making this earth a better place to live. It is a direct contribution that you can be proud about.

Recycling Creates Jobs

Apart from the environmental benefits of recycling, think of the employment that it can generate. When you put your waste in different bins for paper, plastics, glass and so on, the contents of each are further segregated and taken to recycling plants. The man power involved in the logistics and processing of your waste is considerable and thus you are helping to keep them in jobs and aid in welfare of their families. What could be more appropriate in tough economic times as now to create and keep people in employment?

The danger of global climate change has forced us to take drastic measures to cut down on pollution levels to slow down if not eradicate this phenomenon. In view of this, ambitious targets for recycling are also set by governments.

To meet these targets, more and more people must recycle their stuff regularly. As a result, the amount of waste reaching the landfill sites are reduced, leading reduced number of land fill sites and hence better land use for other constructive purposes is ensured.

Trash Creates Pollution

Incineration of waste from land fill sites is a common way of destruction of waste. But we have to remind ourselves of the emissions that result from the incineration. Some times the heat generated is used to generate electrical power (waste to energy plants) to offset the damage.

Even though this sounds positive, there are concerns about the type of waste being incinerated and if it has got any toxic effects on the surrounding areas and the disposal of the by-products of the incineration process as well.

You are Paying for Your Own Waste

Land fill sites are taxed and there are fines for exceeding limits of disposal at one time in many regions. Such costs are passed onto the taxpayer in terms of increased council taxes for example. Recycling avoids such additional costs to a great extent.

Some facts about the benefits of recycling can reinforce the idea a bit more.

Some Recycling Facts

Studies have shown that:

• More than 60% of the rubbish that ends up in the bin can be recycled.
• Around 16% of the cost of a product is spent on its packaging which is completely wasted if not recycled.
• 80% of a vehicle can be recycled.
• Aluminium cans which are thrown away can be recycled completely and put to use in a short time.
• Glass jars and bottles in a huge number are thrown away everyday.
• Glass can be recycled 100% and reused while the glass products which end up in the land fill sites do not decompose at all.
• It is observed that 24 trees are cut own to make a ton of paper. On the contrary, recycled paper is proved to create 70% less pollution compared to normal production.
• Plastics, which could also be recycled, take around 500 years to decompose.Speaking in terms of energy savings possible through recycling, a recycled tin can saves enough energy to power a television for 3 hours.
• 70% less energy is utilized to recycle paper compared to making it from raw materials and similarly a recycled glass bottle can save enough energy to power a personal computer for 25 minutes.

Recycling Helps Build Communities

That is not all of the advantages of recycling. Many charities and community groups raise money through reusing and recycling goods. Your local market place would have charity shops to take your unwanted clothes, which are then passed onto under developed communities in the world aiding a better life to the needy. So, think of them before you shove off all those unused or unwanted stuff into the bin next time.

Recycling Reduces Toxic E-Waste

When we talk about recycling household and work place things, we tend to ignore or are less aware of how to deal with the electrical and electronic waste (sometimes called e-waste) that we dump every now and then. E-waste is valuable as a source of secondary raw material but also toxic if disposed improperly. Due to rapid technology change, low cost and also obsolescence have resulted in a fast growing mass of electronic waste around the globe.

In order to reduce this, working TVs, monitors, computers and other consumer electronics can be sold or donated, thereby prolonging their useful life.
Some new regulations, for example, the WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) Directive in the European Union makes businesses, manufacturers and retailers of electrical and electronics equipment responsible for making sure their goods do not end up in landfill or incineration, where the toxic chemicals, metals and associated solders, glues and plastics can cause both environmental and health problems. Recycling of electronic equipment involves dismantling of parts into metals, plastics and so on and individually processing then depending on the available technology.

In view of reducing environmental pollution and cutting down energy consumption, recycling is an important step to undertake. A sustainable lifestyle is the need of the hour and we can very well adopt such beneficial changes in our daily life.

One Man’s Waste Can be Another Man’s Treasure

Hopefully this article has helped you realize just how important recycling is. Not just to us, but to our kids, grand kids, and anyone that follows in our footsteps. Take care of your planet, and it will take care of you.