Recycling is the process of collecting and processing materials that have been used before and turning them into new products. It is an important way to conserve natural resources and reduce waste, as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy use. There are many benefits to recycling, both for the environment and for society as a whole.
One of the most significant benefits of recycling is that it conserves natural resources. When we recycle materials, we reduce the need to extract new raw materials from the earth, such as timber, minerals, and fossil fuels. This not only helps to preserve these finite resources, but it also reduces the environmental impact of extracting and processing them. For example, recycling aluminum uses just 5% of the energy required to produce new aluminum from raw materials, and recycling paper uses about 60% less energy than making paper from scratch (1).
Recycling also helps to reduce waste and pollution. When we throw away materials that could be recycled, they often end up in landfills, where they take up space and can release harmful gases into the atmosphere. Recycling helps to divert these materials from landfills and instead turn them into new products, which can help to reduce the overall amount of waste being produced. In addition, recycling can reduce the pollution caused by the manufacturing of new products. For example, producing new steel generates significantly more air pollution and water pollution than recycling steel (2).
Another benefit of recycling is that it can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The production of new products often involves the use of energy, which can result in the release of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Recycling can help to reduce these emissions by requiring less energy to process recycled materials compared to producing new materials from scratch. In fact, recycling can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 1,400 pounds per ton of material recycled (3).
In addition to these environmental benefits, recycling also has economic benefits. It can create jobs in the recycling industry and in the manufacturing of new products from recycled materials. Recycling can also save money by reducing the need to extract and process raw materials, as well as by reducing the amount of waste that needs to be disposed of. In fact, one study found that recycling can save up to $30 per ton of material recycled (4).
Overall, recycling is an important way to conserve natural resources, reduce waste and pollution, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It also has economic benefits and can help to create jobs and save money. By recycling and encouraging others to recycle, we can all contribute to a more sustainable future.
References:
“The Benefits of Aluminum Recycling.” Aluminum Association. https://www.aluminum.org/industries/production/recycling/benefits-aluminum-recycling “The Benefits of Steel Recycling.” Steel Recycling Institute. https://www.recycle-steel.org/recycling-steel/the-benefits-of-steel-recycling/ “The Benefits of Recycling.” Environmental Protection Agency. https://www.epa.gov/recycle/benefits-recycling “The Economic Benefits of Recycling and Waste Reduction – WasteWise Case Studies.” Environmental Protection Agency. https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-09/documents/economic_benefits_recycling_waste_reduction_casestudies.pdf
