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What is Recycling and Why is it Important?

April 22, 2020
Reading Time: 4 mins

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You probably already know what recycling is. Recycling refers to the process of breaking down and re-using materials that would otherwise end up in a landfill. In a world plagued by climate change and ever dwindling resources, recycling is a simple way that every person can have a positive impact on the earth. In fact, making recycling a regular habit is one of the best ways you can contribute to making a better world.

The benefits of recycling are far reaching. And everyone stands to benefit when people adopt recycling as a regular habit. Thankfully, with increased awareness about the dangers of climate change, many communities are making it easier than ever to recycle.

A little effort goes a long way. Read on to learn about the benefits of recycling.

The last few decades of climate science research have resulted in one undeniable conclusion: the waste we produce has disastrous effects on the environment.

Unfortunately, the amount of waste we produce is also increasing constantly. There are a number of reasons for this. First, consumer culture has encouraged people to buy more and more products. This has resulted in lifestyle changes, such as a preference for fast food and fast fashion, that make the creation of surplus waste inevitable. Most of this waste is also non-biodegradable. The situation is then further exacerbated by a growing population; there are now more people on the planet creating waste than there ever has been before.

This is why it is important that we commit to sustainability now.Recycling reduces the need for raw materials. This means that adopting recycling on a larger scale can help preserve natural resources, and reduce our strain on the environment. For example, making products from recycled plastic, instead of virgin materials, can reduce our water wastage by 90%. This is important because deforestation, habitat destruction, and global warming are all effects caused by the increased consumption of natural resources.Without the need for new raw materials, ecosystems, and rainforests can be preserved. This is because there will be less demand for mining or logging activities. Without the soil erosion, water pollution, and deforestation that these activities produce, native plants and animals have an increased chance of survival.

Making products from raw materials takes a lot of energy. Unfortunately, most of our energy needs are currently being met by burning fossil fuels. This has a negative impact on the environment. In fact, the greenhouse gases released by burning fossil fuels are a primary cause of global warming.

Recycling, on the other hand, requires less energy. Here are some statistics which clearly show how much energy can be saved by recycling:

  • Recycling aluminium cans can save 95% of the energy required to produce those cans from raw materials
  • Recycling 1 glass bottle saves enough energy to light a lightbulb for 4 hours
  • Every kg of cardboard that you recycle can prevent 1kg of greenhouse gases from being released

Recycling can reduce the amount of trash that ends up in our landfills. This is important because landfills are not just an eyesore; they also release toxic chemicals and other pollutants into the environment.

By cutting down on landfilling, recycling can help reduce air and water pollution. It can also keep the environment looking beautiful.Recycling doesn’t just benefit the environment. It also has positive effects on people, and on the economy.Recycling means that our children and grandchildren can enjoy the gifts that we take for granted today.

Australia is currently home to 86 critically endangered animal species. If we take the initiative to recycle, we will be able to reduce the amount of trash that would otherwise go into these animals’ natural habitats. This, in turn, gives our children the chance to enjoy the beauty of wildlife and coral reefs that might otherwise go extinct.A good recycling programme can cost the government, and its taxpayers, less money compared to traditional waste disposal programmes. One reason for this is that recycling means fewer health complications from pollution. This reduces the healthcare burden on the government.

Recycling also helps business owners cut costs. This is because a well-run recycling programme allows businesses to save money on waste management. Plus, creating products from recycled products is much cheaper than using raw materials.

Depending on your area, recycling might even help you make some money on the side. Many places offer financial benefits to people who recycle.Recycling is a daily choice that we make as individuals. But it’s also a huge industry in itself. In fact, one of the biggest economic benefits of recycling comes from the fact that it creates more jobs for the community. After you deposit your sorted trash for recycling, it still has to be sorted and processed. This requires thousands of workers, all of whom are employed by an ever-growing industry.Making the world a better place is a collective effort. And many people find that it’s a great way to find friends and meet people who share the same interests. It’s also a great way to teach children about the importance of responsibility and taking initiative. Finally, collective efforts towards recycling can help make neighbourhoods a cleaner and happier place to live.

Contact your local council to find out more about your local recycling services.

Remember: at Whistle Clean Australia, we don’t just keep you clean; we try to keep you healthy, too.

If you have any friends, family, or associates who are looking for commercial or office cleaning, we would be delighted to assist them. We are passionate about helping businesses stay clean and healthy, so please pass on our details. Or alternatively, please provide us with their details and we will contact them directly.

Photo credits: Photos courtesy of freepik.com

Photo credits: freepik.com

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