Benefits of recycling in society
We need to take inspiration from nature where the concept of waste does not exist.Adriana Zacarías, regional coordinator of Resource Efficiency for Latin America and the Caribbean at UN Environment.
Just as serious as waste is the problem of resource exploitation. Today, two-thirds of the planet’s inhabitants live in cities and we take from nature the materials we need to build homes, schools, hospitals, roads, transport systems and factories.
But what is the circular economy? At UN News we asked Adriana Zacarias, the regional coordinator of Resource Efficiency for Latin America and the Caribbean at UN Environment, to explain it to us.
At the moment, in Latin America 50% of solid waste is organic matter, of which 90% goes into the garbage and is not used. “If we could implement the circular economy it could generate new markets, such as the production of fertilizers or livestock feed, which could lead to innovation and the generation of jobs.”
Why it is important to recycle
This almost harmless container can take centuries to decompose, becoming a serious threat, not only to humans but also to the fauna and flora that inhabit our planet.
Plastic waste can be used to make items such as clothing, carpets, containers, bottles, plastic lumber, grocery bags, molding materials, garden products, and even housing units, just to name a few.
While some plastics can be recycled once or twice, others are difficult to recycle for technical and economic reasons. Some countries recycle almost 80% of their waste, with Europe being the continent with the most environmental initiatives.
Just to mention, for every ton of plastic recycled, approximately one ton of oil is saved. In conclusion, social innovations are also very important for the economic growth of a country.
How to take care of the environment through recycling
Plastic has very versatile properties when it comes to being treated that make it one of the materials destined to make our lives easier. If you look around you, chances are you are surrounded by objects made of plastic. A water bottle, the bag you’ve been given at the supermarket or a packet of cookies are just a few examples.
Tateh Lehbib is a Sahrawi refugee who knows a lot about recycling plastic. He studied Renewable Energies thanks to a scholarship from UNHCR and, after finishing his studies, he decided to return to the Saharawi refugee camps with an idea in mind.
Inspired by his desire to help the Saharawi people and his studies, Tateh developed a project that earned him the nickname “desert madman”: he built a shelter made of plastic bottles filled with sand that would be resistant to desert storms and heat.
Economic benefits of recycling
CONCLUSIONS: Recycling is very important for the preservation of the environment. When you recycle you get several advantages; recycling avoids the waste of raw materials and non-renewable resources, it also saves energy and avoids pollution. In conclusion, recycling is a very important practice for the conservation of the environment. By recycling you can greatly improve the condition of our planet and have a better lifestyle. People who believe that it is not necessary to recycle I hope it is not necessary to recycle I hope you think again, because everyone should contribute to the planet.