Why is Recycling Important?
The Power of Recycling: How Small Acts Make a Big Difference
If you are not recycling yet, this will help you start today. Did you know that 50% of what we throw in the garbage can be recycled through curbside and other types of collection? An addition to 25% of our trash is comprised of food waste and other materials that could be composed.
So, what is the importance of recycling? Will it help in any way, or it will add more work to
your daily chores? Let us understand recycling in detail:
Recycling Conserves Resources
When we recycle, used materials are converted into new products, reducing the need to consume
natural resources. If used materials are not recycled, new products are made by extracting fresh,
raw material from the Earth, through mining and forestry. Recycling helps conserve important raw
materials and protects natural habitats for the future.
Recycling Helps Protect the Environment
Recycling has long been considered one of the best ways to make a positive impact on preserving and protecting the environment. Recycling reprocesses the rubbish to create new products, which has led to an enormous reduction of waste worldwide. It is not only important to the environment, but to humans and future generations – we must act fast because the amount of waste we create is increasing year on year. The population continues to grow, which means the waste burden will also increase and if not recycled properly, it will be sent to landfills.
Recycling Reduces Landfill
Recycling has a significant impact on the amount of property needed for landfill space. It prevents the
destruction of forests and other natural resources used to provide materials, for paper, glass containers, aluminum cans, and massive amount of water that is used to mine, refine, and
manufacture products. When waste goes to landfill, more materials must be mined, harvested, or refined to replace the discarded items.
Recycling Saves Energy
Recycling saves energy by reducing the need to make materials from scratch. Making products from scratch can be both labor intensive and expensive to collect, move and refine the natural resources needed for paper, aluminum, plastic, and so on. By using recycled materials instead of pulling new natural resources,
manufacturers can make the same products with less energy and expense. Since recycled materials have already been refined and processed once; the second time around, the manufacturing process would consume less energy. When companies don’t have to process the raw materials from scratch, new products from recycled materials use up to 30% less energy.
