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Recycling is the process of collecting used materials, commonly known as waste, and creating new products to prevent the waste of potentially useful materials.

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Around the world, people throw away roughly four million tons of trash every day-that's enough to fill 350,000 garbage trucks or 10 Empire State Buildings. About 12.8 percent of that waste is plastic, which causes big problems for wildlife: some animals mistake plastic for food, while others can become entangled in the trash.

Don't use face wash or toothpaste with microbeads. These tiny plastic beads go down the drain, eventually making their way to rivers, lakes, and the ocean at a rate of eight trillion a day in the United States. Because these toxic beads look a lot like fish food, it's not uncommon for bigger fish and sea turtles to munch on them-a dish that could be deadly.

Say no to straws! In 2015 a viral video showed an olive ridley sea turtle in obvious discomfort as a team of experts work to dislodge something deep within its nostril. At first, they thought it was a worm. But experts were stunned to see what it really was: a plastic drinking straw.

Instead of packing your sandwich and snacks in plastic bags, use reusable containers or cloth sacks instead. Same goes for your drink: Skip the juice boxes and opt for a refillable water bottle.

Reduce the amount of plastic bags clogging up our trash and oceans by shopping with reusable bags instead.

To eliminate some of the excess packaging piling up in landfills, encourage your family to shop for snacks, cereal, and pasta in the bulk section of your grocery store (if yours doesn't have any bulk items, check out a nearby natural food shop). Then, store it all in reusable glass jars.

Pack an apple, a banana, or an orange. Fruit fills you up in a healthy way, plus there's no need for extra packaging. (Save the core, peels, and rinds for your compost bin.)

Using these tips, keep track of the trash you toss. Every week, try to throw out less and less and see how much you can minimize your waste in a month. Some people have managed to put an entire year's worth of garbage in one jar. Can you beat that?

If your family is like many in the United States, unloading the week's groceries includes hauling a case or two of bottled water into your home. On your way to a soccer game or activity, it's easy to grab a cold one right out of the fridge, right?

But all those plastic bottles use a lot of fossil fuels and pollute the environment. In fact, Americans buy more bottled water than any other nation in the world, adding 29 billion water bottles a year to the problem. In order to make all these bottles, manufacturers use 17 million barrels of crude oil. That's enough oil to keep a million cars going for twelve months.

Imagine a water bottle filled a quarter of the way up with oil. That's about how much oil was needed to produce the bottle.

So why don't more people drink water straight from the kitchen faucet? Some people drink bottled water because they think it is better for them than water out of the tap, but that's not always true. In most places in the United States, local governments make sure water from the faucet is safe. There is also growing concern that chemicals in the bottles themselves may leach into the water.

People love the convenience of bottled water. But maybe if they realized the problems it causes, they would try drinking from a glass at home or carrying water in a refillable steel container instead of plastic.

Plastic bottle recycling can help-instead of going out with the trash, plastic bottles can be turned into items like carpeting or cozy fleece clothing.

Unfortunately, for every six water bottles we use, only one makes it to the recycling bin. The rest are sent to landfills. Or, even worse, they end up as trash on the land and in rivers, lakes, and the ocean. Plastic bottles take many hundreds of years to disintegrate.

Water is good for you, so keep drinking it. But think about how often you use water bottles, and see if you can make a change.

And yes, you can make a difference. Remember this: Recycling one plastic bottle can save enough energy to power a 60-watt light bulb for six hours.

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There's plenty of facts out there on why recycling is important. The world population is growing, not shrinking, and currently each human being adds significant waste to the planet over his or her lifetime. In New York alone, people produce enough trash in one day to fill the entire Empire State building. The frustrating thing is, in most developed countries it's not all too difficult to make a difference. And what a difference we can make. If everyone repurposed their copy of a single edition of The New York Times, we could save 75,000 trees.

What Exactly Is Recycling?

Recycling basically involves turning used materials that are labeled as recyclable over to your local waste facility designated in a disposal container as "recyclable" materials to be taken and reused as material for a new purpose. A recyclable product is turned back into a raw form that can be used to create a new and different product. Not only are natural resources limited, but recycling efforts can significantly reduce additional waste that will not only harm the planet today, but future generations as well. The natural resources on our planet earth are limited so we must make the most to conserve, recycle and reuse whenever possible.

What Can I Recycle?

What you can recycle depends on your area, not all materials may be recyclable. Check with your local recycle center to find out what you can and cannot recycle. You'll notice that recyclable products are labeled with numbers from 1 to 7, 1 being the most recyclable, and 7 being the least recyclable. Also check with your city to make sure that you have the correct disposal containers available to ensure your efforts are being put to good use and heading to the recycling center rather than the landfill you are working so hard to avoid!

Purchase Products Made from Recycled Materials

You're no doubt aware by now why this is so important. However, the effort involves not only recycling existing products, but purchasing products that have already been recycled. Today, thanks to a strong push in the green movement recently, you'll notice more and more products made from recycled materials. To purchase products made from reused materials, simply look for a recycling symbol and language on the product's packaging. Every day manufacturers are finding new ways to create items that are recyclable including paper towels, cardboard boxes, plastic containers, crayons, ink cartridges, paint, garden supplies such as hoses, furniture, wallpaper, and even garbage cans. And don't forget the packaging. It is often too big for the product inside and uses non-recycled materials. This is wasteful and should be minimized as well when making a purchase decision. Voting with your wallet is one of the best ways to make an impact while sending a clear message to the companies that make these products as to your desire for more attention to recycle-friendly products.

Ways to Reduce the Amount of Trash You Create

Another way to help the planet is to simply cut down on the amount of non-recyclable materials you throw out. What's a good way to do this?

1. One of the most effective ways to help us to bring your own reusable bag to purchase groceries. If you forget, insist on paper, and pack as many goods in one bag as possible, without double bagging.

2. Try to reduce the amount of packaging you purchase by buying products in bulk.

3. Have any paper statements that are normally mailed to you - such as bills, financial statements, newsletters, etc. - e-mailed to you instead.

4. Buy products that are packaged in cardboard or paper board instead of Styrofoam.

5. Try to avoid disposable items such as paper plates, cups, and utensils.

6. When wrapping presents, opt for reusable gift bags instead of wrapping paper - or maybe even reuse wrapping paper.

Composting is another way to reduce trash

Composting is the simple step of setting aside your fruit peals and pits along with other food waste that does not contain oils or meat and then putting it into a compost pile. This will not only create a much cleaner smelling kitchen but also produce great nutrients for your garden.

Most Waste Can Be Minimized

Every day we use a variety of products in our households and work places to fulfill our basic needs. Most of these products and their packaging are wasted and dumped in bins, which end up in land fill sites. We ignore the fact that a major portion of our waste can be recycled or reused. It would also be very responsible of us, if we could reduce the consumption of products to the maximum extent possible. So, the three R's of sustainability are Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

The Three R's of Sustainability - Reduce, Reuse, & Recycle

Recycling things involves using a product, in part or as a whole, in the production of similar or same products again. In regular production, the use of raw materials is sourced directly from natural resources. For example, fresh pulp for which trees have to be cut down is used to create first generation paper. Recycled paper can very well be used in producing new paper without vastly compromising the quality of the final product.

The same applies to most products like metal, glass and plastics. The energy saved due to use of recycled materials also adds up to overall savings. Therefore, it is only a matter of choice and attitude towards protecting and enriching the environment we live in. We have to consider the fact that demand drives the supply and controlling demand can lead to reduced exploitation of natural resources.

Why Recycling is Important

There are many good reasons for adding recycling to your routine, ranging from a personal level to a global advantage.

Recycling your waste makes you more responsible in the way you use and dispose of it. It is evident from studies that people who do this instinctively cut down on buying unwanted things from the supermarket. They think of how to dispose of the packaging or the product after use before even buying it. As a result, people end up saving a considerable amount of money while also saving the planet.

Individuals, governing bodies and companies can take pride in minimizing their waste as they are helping to reduce global environmental damage and making this earth a better place on which to live. It is a direct contribution that every one can take price in.

Recycling Creates Jobs

Apart from the environmental benefits, think of the employment that it can generate. When you put your waste in different bins for paper, plastics, glass and so on, the contents of each are further segregated and taken to recycling plants. The man power involved in the logistics and processing of your waste is considerable and thus you are helping to keep them in jobs and aid in welfare of their families. What could be more appropriate in tough economic times as now to create and keep people employed?

The danger of global climate change has forced us to take drastic measures to cut down on pollution levels to slow down if not eradicate this phenomenon. In view of this, ambitious but necessary targets for recycling are also being set by governments around the world.

To meet these targets, more and more people must take action regularly. As a result, the amount of waste reaching the landfill sites is reduced and the quantity of land fill sites is reduced. Hence better land use for other constructive purposes is ensured.

Trash Creates Pollution

Incineration of waste from land fill sites is a common way of destruction of waste. But we have to remind ourselves of the emissions that result from the incineration. Some times the heat generated is used to generate electrical power (waste to energy plants) to offset the damage and minimize the carbon footprint.

Even though this sounds positive, there are concerns about the type of waste being incinerated and if it has any toxic effects on the surrounding areas.

You are Paying for Your Own Waste

Landfill sites are taxed and there are fines for exceeding limits of disposal at one time in many regions. Such costs are passed onto the taxpayer. An example of this pass-through tax would be increased city council taxes. Recycling minimizes these additional landfill costs to a great extent.

Recycling Helps Build Communities

That is not all of the advantages of recycling. Many charities and community groups raise money through reusing and recycling goods. Your city has many charity shops (like Goodwill and the Salvation Army) that will take your unwanted clothes, electronics, furniture and other household items to resell as income for these non-profit organizations and these donations are also tax deductible for you. Other not-for-profit charities can be found who will pass such clothing and other items onto underdeveloped communities around the globe. So, think of the people in need in your local community and in other nations before you shove off all those unused or unwanted stuff into the trashcan next time.

Recycling Reduces Toxic E-Waste

When we talk about recycling household and work place things, we tend to ignore or are less aware of how to deal with the electrical and electronic waste (sometimes called e-waste). E-waste is valuable as a source of secondary raw material but also toxic if disposed of improperly. Due to rapid technology change, obsolescent items have created a fast growing mass of electronic waste around the globe.

In order to reduce this, working TVs, monitors, computers, cell phones, batteries and other consumer electronics can be sold or donated, thereby prolonging their useful life. Some new regulations, for example, the WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) Directive in the European Union makes businesses, manufacturers and retailers of electrical and electronics equipment responsible for making sure their goods do not end up in landfill or incineration, where the toxic chemicals, metals and associated solders, glues and plastics can cause both environmental and health problems. Repurposing electronic equipment involves dismantling of parts into metals, plastics and so on and individually processing them depending on the available technology.

In view of reducing environmental pollution and cutting down energy consumption, recycling is an important step to undertake. A sustainable lifestyle is the need of the times and we can very well adopt such beneficial changes in our daily life.

Some Recycling Facts

Studies have shown that:

More than 60% of the rubbish that ends up in trash bins can be recycled.

Around 16% of the cost of a product is spent on its packaging which is completely wasted if not disposed of properly.

80% of a vehicle can be recycled.

Aluminum cans can be recycled completely and put to use in a short time.

Thousands of glass jars and bottles are thrown away everyday.

Glass can be recycled 100% and reused.

Glass products which end up in landfills do not decompose at all.

It has been observed that 24 trees are cut down to make one ton of paper.
On the contrary, recycled paper is proved to create 70% less pollution compared to normal non-recycled material paper production.

Plastics, which can often be recycled, take around 500 years to decompose.

One recycled tin can saves enough energy to power a television for 3 hours.

70% less energy is utilized to recycle paper compared to making it from raw materials.

Similarly when you recycle one glass bottle, it can save enough energy to power a personal computer for 25 minutes.

One Man's Waste Can be Another Man's Treasure

Hopefully this article has helped you realize just how important your efforts are. Not just to us, but to our kids, grand kids, and anyone that follows in our footsteps. Take care of your planet, and it will take care of you. If you'd like to learn more about this topic, we have plenty of articles about recycling, including what recycling codes mean and how you can turn your old electronics into cash by recycling them.

What are you doing to help reduce your carbon footprint?

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Why Is Recycling So Important? | Earth's Friends

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This post may contain affiliate links and we'll be compensated if you make a purchase. This doesn't affect rankings. Our review process. There's plenty of facts out there on why recycling is important. The world population is growing, not shrinking, and currently each human being adds significant waste to the planet over his or her lifetime.

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Recycling is important in today's world if we want to leave this planet for our future generations. It is good for the environment, since we are making new products from the old products which are of no use to us. Recycling begins at home. If you are not throwing away any of your old product and instead utilizing it for something new then you are actually recycling. When you think of recycling you should really think about the whole idea; reduce, reuse and recycle. We've been careless up to this point with the way we've treated the Earth and it's time to change; not just the way we do things but the way we think.

We should recycle because:

Recycling is good for the environment, in the sense, we are using old and waste products which are of no use and then converting them back to same new products. Since we are saving resources and are sending less trash to the landfills, it helps in reducing air and water pollution. Energy saving is important if we are to reduce the future effects of global warming. If we recycle one aluminum can, we are able to save enough energy to run a TV for around 3 hours. This will obviously depend on the energy consumption of your TV, but it gives you a great idea as to just how much energy can be saved during the process of recycling products.

It is believed that (the U.S.) cut approximately 40 million newspapers each day, leading to the equivalent of about half a million trees ending in landfills every week. We've been careless up to this point with the way we've treated the Earth and it's time to change; not just the way we do things but the way we think. Paper, plastic, glass, aluminum cans are examples of some products that are recycled in large quantities.

When you think of recycling you should really think about the whole idea; reduce, reuse and recycle. Think about it; if you don't need it, don't get it. If you have to get it, get something that can be used again and if you get something that needs to be recycled by the professionals, put it in the recycle bin. Conservation is an important part of recycling issue. When you produce less garbage it helps in reducing the landfills and also helps in giving the land back to the nature.

Recycling serve 2 purpose: First, it avoid landfills and helps in reducing air and water pollution and secondly, valuable material like aluminum cans and plastic and glass are reused in other forms and not wasted. Be mindful of what you do, pay attention to the items you buy and always check yourself to see if you really need it or if it comes in a package with less waste. We can all do our part and we will make a huge difference.

What We People Can Do?

There are handful number of things that you could do to save this planet.

1. Throw away all the garbage in your house that is of no use to you or you think you can't utilize it in some other way. If you don't have these boxes, you can easily purchase a suitable container for each recyclable product (e.g. paper, plastic, and glass), and then take these down to your local recycling center.

2. Try to avoid the use of plastic bag and plastic paper as much as possible. They not only pollute the environment but also helps in filling landfills. Also, when you shop try to look out for the products that have least packaging. Every millions of dollars are spent only in packaging of these products which ultimately go to the garbage sites.

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Importance of Recycling - Conserve Energy Future

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Importance of Recycling: Recycling is important in today's world if we want to leave this planet for our future generations. It is good for the environment, since we are making new products from the old products which are of no use to us. Recycling begins at home.

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We've been hearing the slogan for years: 'reduce, reuse, recycle'. The imagery of the three bent arrows forming a triangle that is in perpetual motion just as familiar as the slogan the often accompanies it. There are many benefits to for the individual, society and the planet that come with consistent recycling, which we will outline below. This list is only going to cover a few of the benefits that recycling can offer, but trust that the list of benefits is almost endless and have the power to help shift out society and planet into a more aware, healthy and progressive version of itself in comparison to where it sits currently.

According to a study from 2011 there are over 2.3 people employed by the recycling industry. That is a large number of jobs being filled that would otherwise be non-existent. The economic impact of 2.3 million people being employed and having money to spend absolutely cannot be understated. There are four recycling workers for every one waste management job. That is a true sign of progress in how we treat and consider what happens to our refuse. Recycling prevents the need for more landfills in the waste management world as the facilities that process and reuse the materials keep them in rotation throughout society where they are seeing use instead of sitting and poisoning the earth.

There are many recycling programs that actually incentivize recycling with money gains. Many states have facilities where cans, bottles and other recyclables can be processed and payments rendered based on the amount of recyclables processed. While the price per piece may seem insignificant, the money adds up and any extra money in your pocket helps! Also, waste management facilities are extremely expensive to run and maintain in comparison to recycling plants. The reason for this is the need to dump or incinerate trash, which takes land and fuel and there will always be the need to acquire more of both as time goes on. Companies that use recycled material to create their products save money because they are not purchasing new material that needs to be created, packaged and delivered.

Elimination of Landfills:

Landfills are unsightly and smell terrible, which is why living near one can be very undesirable. This is especially true if any trash is burned at the landfill. Burnt trash is truly one of the worst smells that you can experience. Putting garbage in an opening in the earth is very toxic to the surrounding eco system and will affect the area well beyond the physical limits and borders of the landfill. The worst part of landfills is the pure waste of useful materials. Excess food can be used as compost on farms and gardens, components of electronics can be stripped and utilized for other purposes, paper makes more paper and the list goes on and on and on and on. Landfills just let the material sit and degrade to the point that it becomes an environmental problem involving ecological toxicity.

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Recycling: Why it's Beneficial - Arizona Sanitation Services

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We've been hearing the slogan for years: 'reduce, reuse, recycle'. The imagery of the three bent arrows forming a triangle that is in perpetual motion just as familiar as the slogan the often accompanies it. There are many benefits to for the individual, society and the planet that come with consistent recycling, which we will outline below.

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When garbage is thrown out, it either gets burned at incineration plants or compacted and buried in landfills (deep pits dug in the earth). Burning trash produces toxic ash that's harmful to our environment, and there's already so much garbage in our landfills that we're running out of space! So the solution lies in recycling - the more we recycle, the less garbage ends up in landfills and incineration plants.