Recycling refers to the process of collecting and converting waste materials into new objects or materials. Whether a material is recyclable or not in the first place is determined by its ability or lack thereof to reacquire the same properties it had in its original state. Although it has become a rather conventional method of waste disposal, recycling hasn’t lost its advantages and remains a key factor in the fight against climate change by lowering greenhouse gas emissions. Recycling prevents valuable materials from going to waste when they could be repurposed and given new life very easily, minimizes the need for raw materials and energy usage, and reduces the incidence of water and air pollution that occurs as a result of landfilling or incineration.
However, these are only the basics that scratch the surface of why recycling is vital for environmental and human health, preserving biodiversity and ensuring future generations can live in a clean and wholesome world as well. Here’s a more in-depth analysis of the impact and advantages of this now-ubiquitous process.
The environment
The environment suffers tremendously as a result of human activity. Burning fossil fuels, deforestation and pollution cause serious changes in air quality, trigger soil erosion and are responsible for climate change, an ongoing process that has led to a steady rise in global temperatures. Global warming exacerbates poverty and food insecurity, increases the likelihood and severity of natural disasters and expands the incidence of diseases such as malaria. It takes its toll on human lives and affects livelihoods all over the world. Recycling is naturally only part of the solution, but its importance shouldn’t be disregarded.
When you recycle, there’s less strain on natural resources such as water, timber and various minerals. Moreover, wastefulness should be fundamentally discouraged in the context of global changes in weather patterns. According to a recent study conducted by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, composting and recycling municipal solid waste led to the saving of almost 200 million metric tons of carbon dioxide. These aren’t small numbers that can be taken for granted. Recycling conserves energy as well, further reducing its overall carbon footprint. Repurposing only ten water bottles is more than enough to power a laptop for over twenty-four hours.
Diverting waste from landfills removes the risk of harmful substances leaching into the soil, groundwater or air, from where they could enter the human body and wreak havoc on the health of unsuspecting people. Naturally, it is still important to reduce consumption and aim to buy only as much as you know you’ll consume or use. This applies to anything from clothing to food. Switch to reusable tote bags to carry groceries instead of plastic bags, and use a reusable water bottle to keep you hydrated throughout the day instead of buying multiple plastic ones.
The economy
A lot of the damaging effects on the environment have appeared as a result of the emissions and improper use of resources by companies and businesses. The very large corporations bear the most significant part of the blame, but all brands should join forces in combating climate change in order to ensure a better tomorrow. Research says that more than 50% of the waste resulting from business processes is corrugated cardboard, a material that takes up a lot of space and can be challenging to work with.
Moreover, from a financial and economic perspective, tackling global warming simply makes sense. The recycling industry itself employs over half a billion people in the United States, with wages amounting to roughly $37.8 billion and $5.5 billion in tax revenues. Being compliant with climate standards ensures better yields in agricultural production, higher incomes overall, the ability to focus on and plan for the long term with more certainty and stability, and decreased vulnerability in the event of extreme weather events.
Health
Much of what goes into the trash contains harmful substances such as chemicals, bacteria and other pathogens that could affect human health. When they end up in a landfill, they are still very likely to affect members of the general public, a risk that recycling helps to avert. The harmful greenhouse gasses and pollutants are no longer released into the atmosphere or water. People dealing with respiratory illnesses such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma are at increasing risk of dealing with a worsening of their symptoms as a result of pollution, meaning that recycling contributes to a better quality of life and well-being for large swathes of the population. Since repurposing supports sustainability and resource conservation, ecosystems are maintained in balance and biodiversity is protected. This naturally contributes to better public health as well.
Wildlife
Humans are not the only ones calling Earth home. Millions of different species share the planet as well, and many are going extinct right now, a process that is happening faster than at any point in modern history. To put it into perspective, researchers estimate that the current extinction rate is approximately 10,000 times higher than the ones that occurred at other times in history. Humanity is responsible for this crisis, but it can be slowed down through the introduction of sustainable principles and methods, including recycling. When there’s no need to harvest or extract as many new materials from the Earth, ecosystems get the chance to heal and recover from the overuse they’ve endured over the years.
This means there are fewer disruptions and less damage to the natural world, including fewer forests that are cut, fewer rivers that have to be diverted and less pollution. Animals are, therefore, no longer displaced from their homes and don’t have to endure the effects of harsh chemicals entering their environments. Recycling also minimizes the issue of microplastics that end up in seas, oceans and rivers. The full scope of their effects on health is not yet perfectly understood, but there’s no denying that they must be harmful.
Recycling has become increasingly common and accessible over the years, which has given rise to rumors and misconceptions about it ending up in landfills nonetheless and that the process in itself is largely pointless. However, adopting this cynical perspective won’t do anyone any good, including yourself. If you’ve fallen into the trap of defeatism as well, remember that it’s not too late to start making a difference.
