Why Is Recycling Important?
Recycling is the process of gathering, breaking down, and reusing materials that would typically be thrown in the trash.
Typical materials that are recycled include iron and steel scrap, aluminum cans, glass bottles, paper, wood, and plastics.
Recycling is crucial because it saves energy and reduces greenhouse gas emissions, which helps tackle climate change.
Blog Contents
Energy Saving | Reduces Landfills | Prevents Pollution | Creates Jobs | Sustainable Art
Of the 40 million tons of plastic waste generated in the U.S. in 2021, only 5% to 6% — or about two million tons — was recycled. - World Economic Forum
Saving Energy and Resources
Recycling helps conserve the Earth’s natural resources: raw materials, minerals, trees, etc. thereby protecting natural habitats and preserving natural resources for future generations.
If used materials are not recycled, new products are made by extracting even more materials from the Earth, through mining and forestry.
Reduces the Mass Amounts of Trash in Landfills
Sending recyclable waste to landfill sites has damaging impacts on the environment. Recyclable waste, such as cardboard, plastic, and food waste, is compacted inside the landfill site over time.
This causes it to break down anaerobically, releasing greenhouse gases namely methane. These gases are 25x more potent than CO2. Look at what happens when everything just gets "trashed".
(This could have been prevented and these bikes can be recycled)
Prevents Excessive Pollution
Extracting, Processing, and transporting raw materials all take a lot of energy and resources, and less need for raw materials reduces the amount of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that lead to pollution.
While recycling can help prevent unnecessary air pollution, the first goal is to prevent creating extra waste in the first place by only using what you need.
Recycling Creates Jobs All Around The Country
Recycling is more labor-intensive than the more traditional solid waste management
Recycling begins with recyclable material collection from locations such as households, drop-off points, construction, and demolition centers, and businesses, then these recyclable materials go through a thorough sorting process to separate various materials as well as different quality goods.
For example, textile recycling is a process in which old clothes and other fabric materials can be worn again or the fabric reused. Some used clothing can be utilized without further processing. The salvaged clothing can be resold or distributed after washing. Check out this example!
Plastic, plastic, paper, collected metal, and glass recycling items go through a rigorous process to be used as raw materials for the production of new goods.
From collecting materials to selling them, recycling businesses need varying degrees of skilled and semi-skilled employees to perform recycling industry jobs.
Recycling Can Be A Form Of Art
Ranging from art projects to sustainable fashion (reusing clothes, buying from sustainable brands, and/ or upcycling clothes that you would typically give away).
Creating something new from things you would throw away can be not only super artistic but also one of the creative ways to recycle and be a sustainable warrior.
Check out these Pinterest boards for sustainable art practices and sustainable fashion practices
Recycling long-term saves time and money, frees up space, and builds your reputation as a respectable, eco-friendly person or company. When we recycle, used materials are converted into new products, reducing the need to consume natural resources.
Some companies/ organizations such as Collect & Recycle will even pay some companies for their recyclable waste.
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