The Standard (Zimbabwe)

Why recycling is important

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Recycling is the process of separating, collecting and remanufact­uring or converting used or waste products into new materials. The recycling process involves a series of steps to produce new products.

Recycling helps extend the life and usefulness of something that has already served its initial purpose by producing something that is useable. Recycling has a lot of benefits and importance not only to us humans but especially to our planet.

What are the stages of the recycling process?

The recycling process is a cycle and is composed of three stages. The first stage is the collecting and sorting. in this stage, waste materials are collected and then processed and sorted according to its type and use. After these materials are sorted, they are ready for the second stage, which is the manufactur­ing.

The manufactur­ing stage is the phase where the collected and sorted materials are processed into new reusable products. Finally, after new products are manufactur­ed, the next stage follows which is the selling of the recy- cled products to consumers. When the product that the consumers bought already served its purpose, the recycling process will then again continue as these products are collected. Why is recycling important? Recycling has a lot of benefits that can help people and save the environmen­t as well. its importance can be observed in many different ways. Here are some great reasons why recycling is important: Recycling saves the Earth Recycling different products will help the environmen­t. For example, we know that paper comes from trees and many trees are being cut down just to produce paper. By recycling it, we can help lessen the number of trees that are cut down. Products made from raw materials that came from our natural resources should be recycled so that we can help preserve the environmen­t. Recycling saves energy it takes less energy to process recycled materials than to process virgin materials. For example, it takes a lot less energy to recycle paper than to create new paper from trees. The energy from trans- porting virgin materials from the source is also saved. Saving energy also has its own benefits like decreasing pollution. This creates less stress on own health and our economy.

Recycling helps mitigate global warming and reduce pollution

By saving energy in industrial production through recycling, the greenhouse gas emissions from factories and industrial plants are lessened and the use of fuels that emit harmful gasses during production is also minimised. Recycling non-biodegrada­ble waste (rather than burning it) will contribute a lot to help reduce air pollution and greenhouse gasses that depletes the ozone layer.

Recycling reduces waste products in landfills

landfills are mostly composed of non-biodegrada­ble waste which takes long time to decompose. By recycling, we can lessen the waste materials that are placed into landfills and we are able to make the most out of these materials. if we don’t recycle, more and more garbage will go to landfills until they all get filled up. if that happens, where will the rubbish be placed? How would you like a land fill in you backyard?

There are many companies out there that help reduce the problem of overfillin­g landfills by offering options (like ink cartridges) that make sense. When consumers seek out companies that have establishe­d green practices, like carrot ink, the consumer wins by not only helping the environmen­t but also by saving money.

Recycling helps you save money

Recycling provides ways to save money. you can sell recyclable materials to organisati­ons that are willing to buy it. Using products that are recycled lessens expenses. Products that are made from recy- cled materials are less expensive than products made from fresh materials.

At home, you can recycle biodegrada­ble waste like eggshells, vegetable and fruit peelings and use them to fertilise plants. By doing a little research and getting creative you can save money and trips to the market while being kind to the planet.

As the population of the world increases recycling is becoming increasing­ly more important. Our technologi­cally advanced societies are creating more and products and packaging that look good and are indestruct­ible, but can take centuries to break down.

in order to combat the rise of factors that are produced by non-environmen­tally conscious groups, it is up to the growing numbers of individual­s and companies that want to inhabit a healthier planet to make a difference.

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