Posted on 20th May 2013 by Hintons
Apart from helping in creating new products from waste materials that would otherwise been thrown away, recycling also has other numerous benefits both to humans and the environment. Over the past few years, people have continued to have different opinions on recycling, with many saying it is expensive, unnecessary, and a waste of time. Here at Hinton’s Waste we are the experts on this subject, and so to show you why recycling is worth the time and effort we have compiled our top 10 reasons why recycling is beneficial to everyone, and not just a waste of time:
1. Helps in Protecting the Environment
Recycling plays a major role in reducing the amount of waste being burned in incinerator plants or being deposited in landfills. If the waste materials contained in engineered landfills in different cities and countries around the world are not recycled, they will continue to decompose and produce dangerous chemicals and pollute the environment for many years to come.
2. Employment Opportunities
Reports indicate that recycling creates more job opportunities as compared to incinerating waste or landfills. Every year, recycling companies manage to employ more than 36,000 new employees to manage waste. The more people get employed in the recycling industry, the more crime levels reduce in our towns and cities as everyone has an opportunity to work. This is especially important in these bleak economic times.
3. Brings Communities Together
In almost all villages, towns and cities today, people are coming together to form recycling programmes, organisations, and lobbies to help promote recycling and protect the environment. Through these programmes and organisations, like-minded people have not only managed to share vital ideas on how to make good use of waste products, but also contributed to the formation of new recycling facilities in their own communities.
4. Reducing Carbon Footprint
The transportation of waste to landfills is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Recycling allows for these waste materials to be used again in different ways instead of being left to accumulate and decompose. Through this, the amount of waste being taken to landfills is reduced, contributing greatly to reduction of greenhouse emissions to the atmosphere.
5. Enhances Energy Efficiency
As compared to manufacturing new products out of fresh raw materials, recycling consumes very little energy. If done on a large scale, this could lead to huge reductions in the country’s energy costs. The money saved on energy can then be used to reduce the national debt and stimulate the economy.
6. Builds a Strong and Reliable Economy
The material conservation, energy efficiency, job creation, and cost-effective efforts associated with recycling all contribute to the formation of a strong economy. While more people continue to get employed by different recycling companies, the government is saving greatly on landfill costs, waste management, and electricity.
7. Repurposing Waste Products
Used items can be cleaned or redesigned and reused for different purposes: old light bulbs can be turned into candles, old picture frames can be used as serving trays, paper clips can be used to keep cables in an organised manner, old wrenches can become wall hooks, old glasses can be used to make new glass bottles, old suitcases can be used as medicine cabinets, and old door frames can be turned into coffee tables.
8. Conservation of Limited Resources
Resources such as oil and precious metals such as copper, silver, and gold are almost being depleted. Through recycling, many of these natural resources are being conserved for future use. There are numerous companies involved in buy-back programmes to see to it that used items are collected and recycled just to conserve the available limited resources.
9. Helps Reduce Clutter and Save Space
With more and more people cultivating the habit of recycling and reusing used products and items, they are helping in the reduction of clutter and creation of clean spaces in our towns and cities. This in turn improves movement in the working environment, allowing people to work more efficiently.
10. Reduces Health Risks
Recycling helps us in getting rid harmful waste items from the streets, working areas, and at home. This creates a hazard-free environment for everyone, minimising the risks of avoidable accidents.