Environmental benefits of recycling
Hence its benefit to the environment, as Ranjit Baxi, president and founder of the Global Recycling Foundation, explains: “We are talking about a collective effort and a crucial issue for the future of the planet because no one can act in isolation. It is imperative that we involve the broadest possible population, from world leaders to businesses to individuals, no matter where they are located.”
There are three main types. Primary, or closed-loop, recycling turns materials into more of the same, such as paper into more paper or soda cans into more soda cans. Secondary recycling transforms a discarded product into other objects, albeit made from the same material. And tertiary or chemical recycling chemically decomposes the materials to produce something very different.
The recycling of glass, paper or plastic also removes from circulation an enormous amount of waste that would otherwise end up in landfills, whether controlled or uncontrolled. These huge accumulations of waste, which stain the map of both developed and developing countries, produce emissions of methane, another potent GHG, and contaminate soil and groundwater.
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People are increasingly aware of the need to recycle. The possibility of reintroducing products that have been previously used into the market is a very interesting advantage. Today, precisely, we are going to know some of the main general and economic benefits of recycling.
One of the best-known general recycling benefits is the reduction of pollution. When a person recycles household waste or a company recycles its industrial waste, what is achieved is a decrease in the amount of garbage and waste. The accumulation of this waste on the ground generates toxic gases that have a negative impact on the environment.
Recycling allows us to save energy. This is achieved by reusing materials, which means that energy is not wasted. It takes a great deal of energy to extract and transform materials into products. By reusing these products through recycling, companies, factories and industries will not have to use so much energy to obtain raw materials.
Benefits of recycling in society
As part of a circular economy, which contributes to the conservation of our resources and benefits the environment and society, recycling is important. But why recycle cardboard boxes and what impact can this practice have on society, and the world we live in?
Paper and cardboard are products that can be reused up to 7 times. By following this practice, instead of producing for disposal, we are avoiding deforestation, as well as the unnecessary accumulation of garbage. In this way, we contribute to reducing the environmental impact.
Another interesting figure regarding the recycling of cardboard boxes is that by recycling each ton of cardboard boxes, 140 liters of oil are saved. This is important because it reduces the economic dependence on this substance.
Benefits of recycling for children
Since metals are not extracted from nature and do not need to undergo specific treatment to acquire their characteristic properties, energy consumption is reduced, thus providing a double saving.
A good example of this is aluminum, since its recycling consumes only 5% of the energy needed to extract this material from the earth, as well as its subsequent treatment so that it can be used in the way we usually know it.
By reducing energy consumption, it also reduces pollution and the emission of gases into the atmosphere. The recycling of materials is, therefore, a step forward in the fight against climate change.
Humans consume a large amount of energy, which mainly comes from oil. By reducing the amount of energy needed in production processes, due to the use of recycled materials, our society’s dependence on this type of fuel is also reduced.