The iGlobe
- Nov 12, 2019
- 3 min read

RECYCLING

By Anthony Kelly

In today’s age, trash has risen to an unacceptable amount. It has gotten to the point that it is ruining the Earth. A solution to this problem is through Recycling; a topic that people don’t take seriously. There are facts and statistics on why recycling benefits not only the person recycling, but the environment as well. Recycling is the best way to reduce the amount of trash that people create. If something is done about the trash now, the Earth will be in a much better state than it is right now. Recycling is a process to create new items from old and used materials which helps in reducing energy and potentially useful materials from being wasted. (“Various Recycling Facts” Conserve Energy Future) In turn this helps the Earth and there are many ways to help.

Recycling is the process of collecting and processing materials that would otherwise be thrown away as trash and turning them into new products. Recycling can benefit the community and the environment. (“Recycling Basics” epa.gov) The main objective when recycling is Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. This statement is called the 3Rs. 3Rs refers to three terms often used when talking about waste: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. Reducing is cutting back on the amount of trash people create, reusing is finding a new way to use trash so that people don't have to throw it out, and recycling is using trash to remake new goods that can be sold again. (“Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle” ecokidsusa.org)

“How does recycling benefit our planet?” one might ask. There are many different benefits to recycling. According to, EPA.gov here are some benefits they list on recycling:

· Recycling reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills and incinerators

· Recycling conserves natural resources such as timber, water and minerals

· Recycling increases economic security by tapping a domestic source of materials

· Recycling prevents pollution by reducing the need to collect new raw materials

· Recycling saves energy

· Recycling supports American manufacturing and conserves valuable resources

· Recycling helps create jobs in the recycling and manufacturing industries in the United States

(“Benefits of Recycling” epa.gov) These facts are only few of many on why recycling has a big impact on the Earth. Harmful chemicals and greenhouse gasses are released from rubbish in landfill sites. Recycling helps to reduce the pollution caused by waste. Habitat destruction and global warming are some the effects caused by deforestation. Recycling reduces the need for raw materials so that the rainforests can be preserved. Huge amounts of energy are used when making products from raw materials. Recycling requires much less energy and therefore helps to preserve natural resources. (“Importance of Recycling” Greening Forward)

There are many ways people can contribute to recycling. People need to think carefully about what products they buy at the supermarket and how to recycle them is the first step towards efficient recycling. Many materials can be recycled, such as paper, plastic, metal and glass. When shopping at the supermarket, buy products that can be recycled easily such as glass jars and tin cans. (“How to Recycle” recycling-guide.org) People can recycle almost anything that involves paper and cardboard, metals, glass and plastics. The average person generates over 4 pounds of trash every day and about 1.5 tons of solid waste per year. Americans make more than 200 million tons of garbage each year, enough to fill Busch Stadium from top to bottom twice a day. If at a sporting event or tailgate, host a trash-free tailgate using only recyclable materials. (“11 Facts about Recycling” dosomething.org)

Recycling is the best form of distributing waste. If everyone recycled, who knows how the Earth can beneft. Trash is getting out of control and Earth is not headed in a good direction without recycling. Recycling is a topic that people need to take more seriously. As a planet, people need to stop throwing trash away and distribute it properly by recycling.

WORKS SITED:

“Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle” EcoKidsUSA, Web. 2008

<http://www.ecokidsusa.org/3rs.html>

“Recycling Basics” EPA, Web. Date Unknown

<https://www.epa.gov/recycle/recycling-basics>

“Benefits of Recycling” EPA, Web. Date Unknown

<https://www.epa.gov/recycle/recycling-basics>

“How to Recycle” Recycling Guide, Web. 2003

<http://www.recycling-guide.org.uk/recycle.html>

“Various Recycling Facts” Conserve Energy Future, Web. Date Unknown

<https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/various-recycling-facts.php>

“11 Facts About Recycling” DOSomething.org, Web. April 2015