Why is recycling important?
Posted on 13. Mar, 2010 by Iwind in People
All the comforts that we enjoy in our day to day life are a result of utilizing naturally found resources. Resources can be classified into non-renewable and renewable resources. The term non-renewable is used to denote those resources which are limited i.e. resources that cannot be regenerated. Resources such as metal and paper are depletable, but can be regenerated through recycling.
Recycling therefore is very important. It helps in the creation of new products by harnessing the raw materials extracted from the existing products; Products that are defunct or no longer used can therefore be recycled. Recycling is important in today’s context because there is a growing need for raw materials, and with the consumption of resources, the pace at which this demand is met becomes an undermining factor. Recycling therefore is a method of replenishing raw materials, conserving energy and re-utilizing existing resources. In terms of consumption, the amount of products being used in everyday life has increased considerably. It has led to a situation where the same raw material is being used to produce a multitude of products. This in turn, has reduced the availability of a given raw material considerably, increasing production costs.
This is where recycling comes in. By using the materials that have already been used to make products, you not only reduce the consumption of fresh resources but also reduce waste. For instance, by recycling materials such as glass, paper and plastic, the amount of energy conserved is estimated to be between 40 – 70%. Recycling also helps to reduce pollution.
Recycling materials reduces the need to incinerate or use land filling techniques to reduce waste. This way it reduces air pollution and prevents leeching. By reducing the amount of waste incinerated, the amount of CO2 content released into the atmosphere is reduced, thereby lowering the overall carbon footprint. Materials such as glass, paper, metal, plastic, textiles, and electronics can be recycled. By making use of recycled materials, we save cost. Many things that have intrinsic value such as electronic chips can be redeemed by recycling it in bulk.
Recycling is very important in terms of monetary allowances gained too. Through recycling, the cost of producing a product is reduced. For example, recycling aluminum is cheaper than producing it from its source, bauxite. Materials need to be segregated, sorted and reprocessed. This is done at a collection center or through aggregation of recyclable waste. Recycling is a really important technique – it plays a very prominent role if we are to sustain ourselves in the future. It holds the key to conserving our energy and making the best use of available raw materials, enabling us to accrue fiscal benefits.
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