Facts on Why We Should Recycle

Most glass, paper, metal, plastic, textiles and electronics can be recycled, either into a new version of the same product or into materials that are used for something else. The benefits of recycling for the environment and for the population are innumerable and supported by statistical evidence as well as basic common sense. Recycling helps to conserve the earth's natural resources, reduces the negative environmental impact of industry and prevents the waste of useful materials.

Avoid Waste

It simply does not make sense to throw away materials that could otherwise be used to create something new and useful. This kind of waste can be avoided by recycling. An aluminum can when thrown away will still be an aluminum can in over 500 years. If recycled, it can me made into a new, useful aluminum can an infinite number of times, eliminating the need to mine the earth's resources for can-making.

Cleaner Industry

If new products are made from old products, there is less need to mine the earth's resources, cut down trees, manufacture new materials and use industrial toxins and chemicals that eventually are released into the environment.

Landfills

Recycling reduces the harmful practice of dumping used goods and materials (i.e. garbage) into and on top of the earth in landfills. Toxic chemicals from garbage seep into the ground and reach the water supply, polluting both along the way. They cost taxpayers a lot of money to maintain and monitor and are expensive to clean up when they inevitably cause potential harm to the health of the population and planet.

Recycling Paper

Recycling paper means fewer trees are cut down to meet the human demand for paper goods. Trees are essential to a habitable planet as they absorb carbon dioxide from the air and release oxygen. If all the newspapers printed in the United States were recycled, 250 million trees per year would not need to be chopped down.

Recycling Glass

The process of recycling old glass into new glass uses 50 percent less water, reduces mining waste by 70 percent and reduces air pollution by 20 percent compared to manufacturing new glass from silica sand, according to the Environmental Defense Fund. A glass bottle in a landfill will not decompose for over 4000 years.

Recycling Plastic

Plastic bags that are not recycled often end up in the ocean where they trap, strangle and kill millions of sea creatures. Not only are plastic bags recyclable, they are entirely unnecessary as they are easily replaced with reusable fabric bags.

Saving Money

Recycling saves tax dollars, but in addition to this a household budget can be considerably reduced by recycling items within the home and garden. By turning organic waste into compost, there is no need to spend money on mulch, fertilizer and commercial compost. By cutting up worn, stained or torn clothing into cloths, there is no need to spend money on dusters, dish sponges, cleaning wipes, etc. and the cloths can be washed and reused again and again for many years.