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From a young age, you’ve probably seen the recycling symbol on all kinds of items such as plastic bottles, aluminum cans, and paper.
And if you’re like most people, you’ve probably learned to associate these symbols with the benefits of recycling — from keeping landfills as small as possible to saving energy.
But, how does recycling help the environment?
And why are we constantly encouraged and reminded to recycle?
Now, recycling can be defined as the process of taking materials like paper, plastics, aluminum and steel, glass, cardboard , etc.(that you have been advised not to throw away in the trash) and reusing the material for another purpose or transforming it into something new that has a lower environmental impact on Earth.
When people start recycling more, there are fewer raw materials added to landfills overall; this helps reduce greenhouse gases like CO2 which contribute to climate change.
We’ll help you understand better how recycling does all this and how it can benefit the environment even more.
How does recycling help the environment?
Recycling is the process of extracting useful materials or energy from waste material.
It is valuable for reducing both the quantity and toxicity of waste.
On that note, let’s take a look at how recycling contributes to the environment with three key concepts, including preventing pollution, reducing carbon emissions, and conserving energy.
Saves energy
Recycling has several benefits, but one of the most significant impacts it has is saving energy.
Recycling aluminum, for example, uses about 95% less energy than making new aluminum from raw materials.
Recycling paper uses 50% less energy than using fthe resh pulp to make paper, and recycling plastic uses 70% less energy than producing new plastic.
Virgin materials don’t have to be extracted, transported ,and then processed to make bbrand-newproducts.
Instead, the resources used to make old products arereusedd.
The reduction in chemical and energy use from recycling can contribute to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
EPA estimates it reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 50%.
Conserves natural resources
The truth is we don’t have limitless natural resources like fossil fuels and mineral ore.
Continuous mining and extraction of these resources deplete them, and over time the number of our natural resources will decline.
The rate at which natural resources are used is what makes our earth a finite and limited resource.
By recycling, we help preserve what we have left on this planet for future generations to enjoy.
It forces companies to think about how to reduce their use of raw materials, thus helping conserve natural resources for future generations.
The products made from natural resources are not just discarded after a single use but rather recycled and put back in circulation so that we relish the full value of the resources without having to succumb to the uncertainty of natural resource depletion.
Protects the environment from pollution
A lot of work goes into manufacturing and processing raw materials into new products.
We are talking about the extraction of raw materials, quarrying, logging, transporting, and eventually processing the materials.
All this creates considerable air, water, and land pollution.
That’s not to mention the potential for waste and toxic material.
Recycling can help prevent pollution at every step of the manufacturing process.
When you recycle, you don’t need to use new raw materials, which means you will also eliminate extraction and quarrying processes, as well as logging and transporting of the raw materials.
By recycling rather than producing new products, you eliminate the need for processing steps, which leads to a significant reduction in pollution.
As a result, we’re able to keep our planet healthier and safer for future generations.
Minimizes global warming
Global warming is an environmental and social issue caused by the increase in greenhouse gases to such levels that they acantrap heat in the atmosphere.
There are several ways we can address global warming, but all of them involve reducing carbon emissions.
Recycling has a significant contribution to reducing carbon emissions because manufacturing raw materials from recycling uses less energy and this, in turn, reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
There’s no question that if all the products that were produced from natural resources were recycled, we would be on track to reduce carbon emissions by over 80%.
Slows the spread of landfills
In the US alone, there are about 2,000 active landfills and more may be in the process of closing down as they become full.
The rate at which landfills are reaching full capacity and hence closed down is alarming.
It is a problem that affects both the environment and our economy.
Landfills are not only breeding grounds for disease-carrying vermin, they release toxic gases into the air as the waste decomposes.
Landfills are also a significant source of methane, which is a very potent greenhouse gas.
Recycling can play a huge role in slowing, and even stopping the spread of landfills by reducing the amount of solid waste being disposed of.
The more we recycle, the less waste we produce and the fewer landfills we need.
Protects ecosystems and wildlife
As you likely know, the process of extracting and manufacturing our raw materials hurts the environment and that includes damage to ecosystems and wildlife.
Think of all the steps that go into producing and processing raw materials.
Mining for copper, for example, can take a heavy toll on the surrounding environment with large volumes of water and chemical waste often being released into rivers and streams.
Wildlife in the area of the mine or mine site is also under pressure.
The caterpillars, insects, birds, and other wildlife that used to feed on plants growing around miners and their equipment are now forced to move to less hospitable areas.
According to the Oceans Conservancy, each year the world’s oceans become one large garbage dump.
Plastic is responsible for the majority of marine debris today and while many of us try to avoid it, in some parts of the ocean plastic outnumbers plankton, the most basic form of marine life.
Plastic is a huge contributor to dthe eath and disease of marine life with many animals ingesting it and getting sick or dying as a result.
With recycling, we can help protect our oceans by reducing the amount of plastic ending up in them.
Creates jobs
Lately, most people have been concerned with the jobless rate in our country and what the prospect may be for the future.
We could all work part-time, but that would eliminate vital income from our families.
Recycling creates jobs and can help keep many families going.
Recycling helps create a steady flow of raw materials that keeps manufacturing going and so does keeping factories running as well.
It contributes to the development of industries and businesses that specialize in recycling and the use of recycled materials.
As such, recycling creates jobs for everyone from the factory workers who process raw materials to the people who pick up and sort recyclables.
It plays a huge role in keeping many families afloat financially and in the end ,the environment is better off for it.
Stimulates the use of greener technologies
Recycling encourages the use of more environmentally-friendly technologies.
Since more people are going green and using recycled products, companies and businesses are inclined to invest in more environmentally-friendly operations.
This is one of the most important benefits of recycling and why so many countries and communities have been incorporating it into their waste management strategies.
For instance, renewable energy including solar, geothermal,l and wind energy are on the rise with technologies getting cheaper and better.
Cutting down on the use of non-renewable resources is a big reason for this and recycling plays a big role in doing so.
Companies are constantly looking for ways to become more efficient and reduce their carbon footprint by using greener technologies to power manufacturing plants.
This means reduced pollution and fewer carbon emissions.
Why is recycling vitally important for future generations?
Environmental pollution has devastating effects on the lives of future generations.
If we don’t do anything to change the course we are headed by reducing our consumption and facilitating recycling, the damage will be irreversible and countless people in the future will suffer.
If you care about your loved ones and younger generations, this is a call to action that you can’t ignore.
Recycling is one of those easy ways that anyone can make a big difference in the environment.
If you have been holding off on recycling because it sounds too daunting and complicated, we urge you to reconsider.
Nowadays, there are so many recycling options all around you.
If not now, when?
The future generations deserve to have a clean and sustainable planet so they can enjoy the same privileges that we do today.
Let’s make it happen together before it’s too late.
Final Thoughts
Recycling takes the strain off of our landfills and the environment, and it plays a huge role in protecting ecosystems and wildlife.
The more we recycle the less damage we cause to our planet and all its inhabitants on land or sea.
The resources that are left are used more economically, which leads to longer supply chains and potentially better pricing for consumers.
It contributes to greenhouse gas reduction efforts, thus cutting carbon emissions by over 80%.
The world has become a global, interconnected community where we all rely on each other for a better life.
FAQs
Why is reducing, recycling, and reusing to save the environment important?
It is important to keep the environment clean and safe for living beings.
The environment provides us with everything we need to live.
It helps in keeping our atmosphere and earth healthy.
If it is polluted, we might lose our home forever.
What are the things that harm the environment?
There are several things that harm the environment like air pollution, water pollution, land pollution, noise pollution etc.
All these things contaminate the environment and cause harm.
And all these things are harmful to the organisms living in the environment and they eventually lead to their death.
How can we save the environment?
There is no magic formula for saving the environment.
But there are a few very effective ways by which we can save the environment in a very short time.
First of all, we can reduce waste and nothing can be more harmful to the environment than waste.
Secondly, we should try to recycle as much as possible.
