How Recycling Works: The Genius of Recycling

Recycling has been done by the human race since time immemorial. We have witnessed the harsh effect and monstrous damage that pollution and waste have done to our planet Earth and its atmospheric protective layer, the Ozone Layer. This is why people from generations back have studied effective ways to combat it. Thus, the invention of recycling.

Recycling is one form of waste management. In this activity, some kinds of trash and waste are collected, treated, and processed into new products.

It has a large positive impact on any community and the global environment. This is because the number one goal of recycling is to prevent the constant usage of fresh materials and reduce landfilling. 

Benefits of Recycling

Here are the benefits of recycling that we can enjoy today and in the future.

1. Recycling reduces the massive amount of trash and food waste being sent to landfills and waste incinerators.
2. Recycling helps conserve natural resources and reduces and prevents pollution.
3. Recycling saves global energy.
4. Recycling plants provide jobs anywhere it is located.
5. Recycling supports local industries.
6. Recycling helps provide affordable materials and products.

Are there Cons to Recycling?

Unfortunately, not every good thing is free from disadvantages. Here are 4 Cons to Recycling.

1. Recycling may create sub-standard products – Due to the fact that recycling requires a lot of chemicals and processing to try and stick different recycled materials together, products manufactured from recycled materials can be quite brittle and sub-standard. This is why even though it is environmentally friendly and helpful to purchase recycled material products, most consumers prefer newly-made products rather than recycled ones.

2. Recycling requires a lot of funds to complete – Recycling sites need to be built and require special machinery, chemicals, and personnel to thrive. All of these are not free and, most of the time, expensive.

3. Recycling sites can be unhygienic and hazardous – Recycling deals with different kinds of waste. Be it plastic, food, or even human waste. Transforming these various kinds of waste into something reusable and safe demands chemicals and more waste that can be health hazardous and unhygienic.

4. Recycling is not the final answer to waste management – Even though it has been proven effective, recycling is not the final solution and is a total game changer for the planet and its residents. Also, relying on recycling alone can force humanity to overlook other major global pollutants that cannot be countered by recycling.

How to Recycle?

According to the famous three-arrowed symbol, recycling is done in three looping steps.

Here are ways to make recycling a reality.

Step 1: Collection and Processing

Recycling facilities and organizations install collection sites and programs for people to voluntarily provide the waste they want. These include drop boxes, drop-off centers, and money exchange for every trash provided strategy.

Here is the waste that is eligible for recycling:

• cardboard boxes
• Aluminum cans
• Books
• Paper
• Egg cartons
• Glass containers
• Plastic containers
• Steel
• Choice food and plant waste

Upon reaching a certain amount to recycle, the waste is sent to the recycling facilities. There, the waste is sorted, cleaned, and finally processed. Personnel put the waste into rigorous processes to make sure the recycled materials are free from deadly viruses and bacteria and/or biodegradable stuff.

Although consumers buy finished recycled-made products, it is not new that there are clients purchasing processed raw recycled materials after this step.

Step 2: Manufacturing Recycled Materials

After the much-needed chemical bath, the recycled materials are now ready for the second step: Manufacturing.

Due to extensive research and demand, the number of products that are made from recycled materials has grown through the decades.

Recycled materials can be transformed into various kinds of products, namely but not limited to:

• Newspapers
• Paper
• paper towels
• reusable and disposable containers
• glass containers
• roads
• furniture
• accessories
• fashion

Step 3: Purchasing New Products Made from Recycled Materials

To complete the iconic recycling looping symbol, the last step of recycling is for consumers to purchase and use products made from recycled materials.

Fortunately, most of the human populace agrees with the benefits of recycling. This is why anyone can almost easily buy recycled-made products in the mainstream market. 

And because recycling is a cycle, consumers can help start the recycling process again by buying products that are recyclable. 

To Recycle is to Care

As a member and beneficiaries of every good thing Earth has to offer, we, as individuals, must constantly seek ways to better our environment–and heal it for good. Recycling may not be the sole answer, but it should be practiced for generations to come.