One of the most widespread rumors regarding the management of urban waste is whether recycling is really useful, or if the obligation to separate our waste is a strategy more oriented towards political benefit than towards the environment. On the other hand, it is common to find images of marine animals killed by ingestion of plastics, or rivers absolutely contaminated with oils, which can reinforce that first impression of ineffectiveness.
From Ecologist Verde we want to shed light on this and other related issues, so that we can handle our waste in a conscious way and as efficiently as possible. Therefore, we have prepared this article about Why is recycling important.
Why it is important to recycle - the main reasons
The system of waste collection The one that most municipalities and associations are committed to is of the segregated type, that is, the various materials are separated at their source and transported to treatment centers. In front of the prevailing globalized collection in developing countries, in which all the garbage is collected without discerning what each thing is, the segregated collection at source allows us a better recycling. Thus, we find several reasons to recycle:
The more you recycle the easier it is
When our waste reaches a transfer center, the separation process continues. The waste passes through different belts, drums and magnets that separate them into different fractions: paper, metals, plastics, organic fraction, etc. These processes, like any other, cannot be 100% efficient. In each of the phases, what is known as "rest" is produced, which is, in short, material that is difficult to recycle that will end up either in an incinerator or in a landfill. However, the smaller the mixture that reaches each of these circuits, the greater its effectiveness in separating the components according to their composition. The more we separate, the less we have to burn or pile up.
The economic impact
Waste management is an essentially public service. Although there may be public or private companies that deal with the management of waste and its recycling, in any case the citizen pays a large part of this management with their taxes. Helping the process be effective helps us use our taxes more efficiently.
In addition, here we show you 10 other good reasons to recycle.
Benefits of recycling - the benefits of recycling
In this section we are going to focus on the benefits of recycling in a broader sense:
Waste is new resources
When a waste is recycled, it is transformed directly into a raw material that can be incorporated back into the production circuit. This is especially important in the case of scarce materials, such as coltan or lead, although we cannot disregard other materials such as plastics or paper. Since any extractive activity, whether in the oil, logging, mining industries, etc., has an environmental impact, this can be minimized by reducing the demand for raw materials.
Less environmental pollution
Sometimes the environmental management services see their capacity exceeded. In other cases, citizens themselves or companies choose an illegal way of managing their waste. This results in uncontrolled deposits of waste that can take thousands of years to decompose and re-integrate into a cycle of matter. Many times they are washed away by rains and other water courses and end up in large pools of water and, ultimately, in the sea. What could end up as a resource becomes a major source of contamination. Thus, recycling this is reduced. Here we explain some ideas on How to avoid environmental pollution.
Less disease
Uncontrolled deposits of waste can become a source of infections and other diseases. Especially the so-called hazardous wastes, such as solvents or oils, can generate a wide variety of diseases that also tend to affect the most vulnerable segments of the population.
Generate green jobs
Another benefit of recycling is that someone has to do it. Recycling is an important source of so-called "green jobs", jobs that are directly related or respectful of the environment.
Seeing these benefits, you will understand a little better why World Recycling Day is celebrated, and here you can expand this information.
How it is recycled
The collection system is based on the use of recycling containers in which the waste is separated according to its destination. In general, we find the following waste and basic recycling binss:
- Blue container: paper and cardboard.
- Light green container: glass.
- Yellow container: plastics and packaging.
- Brown container: organic remains.
- Gray container: non-recyclable waste or waste.
These colors may change depending on the area in which we are, so it is best to inquire at the town hall. However, before throwing the waste into the recycling bins, it is necessary to separate garbage at home, so many people have small containers or bags prepared for it, for example, in the kitchen, at the entrance of the house or in an outdoor area if it is available.
On the other hand, we have the selective collection of unusual materials, such as batteries or expired medicines, in addition to the entire range offered by clean points. Ensuring that each waste we generate is grouped with others of the same type is the best way to promote its reintegration into the production cycle.
In this other article we help you learn how to recycle garbage at home.
Recycling - after reducing and reusing
Finally, we cannot forget that recycling must always be behind reducing our generation of waste and reusing it as much as possible, since all activity consumes energy and, in some way, can pollute.
Changing our consumption habits is an option that requires a certain sacrifice, but it is certainly the best way to collaborate with the environment. Therefore, we recommend that you know well the 3Rs of ecology: reduce, reuse and recycle.
If you want to read more articles similar to Why is recycling important, we recommend that you enter our Recycling and waste management category.
