If you’ve been following the news recently, it may seem like the planet is in dire straits. References to “crisis,” “chaos,” and “collapse” are abundant. But, if you look at the facts, things are actually quite the opposite.
Recycling, when done right, is the best way to maintain a balanced, healthy environment. It conserves natural resources, creates jobs, reduces waste, protects the planet and its creatures, and contributes to a sustainable lifestyle. In fact, many people believe that recycling is one of the most important steps in saving the world.
Many of us are already familiar with the concept of recycling. We know that we should reuse paper, glass bottles and jars, metal cans and cardboard boxes. But did you know that recycled materials can also be used to make new products? The possibilities are almost endless.
Whether it’s turning old t-shirts into cleaning rags or using old newspaper to wrap gifts, the process of recycling gives old products a second life. Creating these new products requires only a fraction of the energy that it takes to produce raw materials from scratch. This makes it a very energy efficient process that saves a great deal of natural resources, energy and money.
What most people don’t realize is that the energy required to produce recycled materials is much less than what it would take to harvest or extract raw materials from the Earth. By increasing the rate of recycling, we can significantly cut back on the need to mine or harvest raw materials from the planet. This means fewer trees being cut down, rivers diverted, wild animals being displaced or killed, and less pollution of the soil, water and air.
In the United States alone, the recycling industry provides more than 534,057 jobs. This includes positions such as sorters, mechanics, material recovery facility managers and sales representatives. These well-paying jobs help support families and communities across the country, and contribute to economic growth.
Recycling helps to keep harmful chemicals and other materials out of landfills, incinerators and the oceans. It is an essential part of the overall effort to fight climate change, protect our oceans and natural habitats, and keep our planet clean and healthy.
Practicing good recycling habits can be easy, and it starts at home. Try to recycle all of the items you can, and avoid adding plastic bags or Styrofoam to your recycling bin. Also, be sure to only place clean, dry recyclables in your bin and to separate the different items from each other. This will help ensure that your recycling is properly processed and turned into new products!
The best way to keep up with all of the latest news on recycling is to follow @KeepEarthAwesome. We’ll continue to provide updates on this important topic and help you to become a more informed, greener consumer! You can learn more about recycling and other topics related to sustainability by visiting our resource center. We’ve also included links to popular blogs and websites that cover the latest developments in the field of sustainability.