Environment
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What is the Importance of Recycling?

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

While recycling has become part of the daily routine for many people, the full importance of recycling is not always understood. In general, people do understand that recycling helps to minimize the drain on the limited resources of our planet. However, there are several other factors that make recycling important. Here are a few other reasons why recycling is extremely important to our world today.

One of the great things about recycling is that the process helps to minimize the presence of waste materials in our communities. Because items such as glass, paper, and plastics are being reused to create new products, they do not end up taking up space in a landfill somewhere. Since most people are not interested in having a garbage dump located near their homes or offices, recycling makes it possible to avoid creating newer and larger landfills that would otherwise be necessary to accommodate all the waste.

Plastic water bottles can usually be recycled.
Plastic water bottles can usually be recycled.

While many people realize that recycling is good for the environment in terms of easing the demand on our limited resources, they may not realize that choosing to reuse and recycle items also makes it possible to cut the cost of producing products significantly. For example, it takes anywhere from seventy-five to ninety-five percent less energy to produce aluminum cans from recycled products than it does to create them from raw materials. Thus, the importance of recycling not only extends to preserving raw materials but also to easing the energy needed to manufacture various goods.

Glass bottles can be recycled.
Glass bottles can be recycled.

Another example of the importance of recycling has to do with the creation of new jobs. As more people recycle, the number of people required to collect, sort and process recycled items continues to grow. More jobs in the community means more money spent in local stores, more taxes collected for the city or town, and in general a healthier economy for everyone concerned.

Recycling reduces the amount  of waste generated in communities.
Recycling reduces the amount of waste generated in communities.

The importance of recycling also extends to maintaining a healthy balance in the ecology of the planet. By not having to mine raw materials in order to continue producing the same volume of products, there is less damage to our rivers, forests, and areas where wildlife is abundant. Since every form of life on the planet is dependent on the presence of another form of life, maintaining an ecological balance is key to providing security for the generations to come.

Recycling creates new jobs.
Recycling creates new jobs.

Think about all the reasons behind recycling the next time you begin to wonder if your meager contribution really makes a difference. The combined efforts of all people to recycle do in fact make a huge difference in our world. Look around your community and you are likely to see first hand the importance of recycling to your city or town in several different ways.

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including AllThingsNature, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including AllThingsNature, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

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Discussion Comments

anon39742

the new polystyrene is the one new product that i think is a very good idea. It is made from tapioca. So after we are finish eating we can eat the polystyrene. that is a very brilliant idea and the way to reduce garbage

spasiba

So many new products can be made out of old, unused items. Recycled glass is used for asphalt for example, or old tires can be made into mouse pads.

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    • Plastic water bottles can usually be recycled.
      By: Yasonya
      Plastic water bottles can usually be recycled.
    • Glass bottles can be recycled.
      By: Elnur
      Glass bottles can be recycled.
    • Recycling reduces the amount  of waste generated in communities.
      By: Goss Vitalij
      Recycling reduces the amount of waste generated in communities.
    • Recycling creates new jobs.
      By: Photographee.eu
      Recycling creates new jobs.
    • Cardboard can be recycled.
      By: Giuseppe Porzani
      Cardboard can be recycled.
    • Glass and plastic are recyclable materials.
      By: Moultipix
      Glass and plastic are recyclable materials.
    • Electronic items should be recycled because some components are hazardous waste.
      By: tankist276
      Electronic items should be recycled because some components are hazardous waste.
    • Creating new paper products from recycled paper is 40% more efficient than using new wood pulp.
      By: JRB
      Creating new paper products from recycled paper is 40% more efficient than using new wood pulp.
    • Aluminum soda cans are frequently recycled.
      By: Giuseppe Porzani
      Aluminum soda cans are frequently recycled.
    • Recycled items are often reused to make new items, cutting down the need to harvest raw materials.
      By: Winai Tepsuttinun
      Recycled items are often reused to make new items, cutting down the need to harvest raw materials.
    • Recycling programs can actually add jobs to cities and towns, because people are needed to pick up, sort and process recyclables.
      By: photka
      Recycling programs can actually add jobs to cities and towns, because people are needed to pick up, sort and process recyclables.
    • Items such as toilet paper can be made from recycled materials instead of using more materials from nature.
      By: Ruggiero Scardigno
      Items such as toilet paper can be made from recycled materials instead of using more materials from nature.