Define Recycling
Recycling is the process of making or manufacturing new products from a product that has originally served its purpose. If these used products are disposed of in an appropriate, environmentally friendly way, the process of recycling has been set in motion. Recycling is a key component of modern waste reduction and is the third component of the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle waste hierarchy.
Three R’s in Recycling
Reduce:
The first and most effective component of the waste hierarchy is reducing the waste created.
· A key part of waste reduction is conservation—using natural resources wisely, and using less than usual in order avoid waste.
· We need to reduce the amount of the earth's resources we use to make products which may not be essential.
· Reducing the amount of waste you produce is the best way to help the environment.
· Businesses can adopt manufacturing methods that require fewer resources and generate less waste.
· In addition to benefiting the environment, these efforts often offer consumers and businesses the financial incentive of lower expenses in purchases.
Example:
· Instead of buying something you're not going to use very often, see if you can borrow it from someone you know.
· Save energy by turning off lights that you are not using.
Reuse:
Reuse is to use again especially in a different way or after reclaiming or reprocessing.
· We need to adopt the habit of reusing products. Don't just throw an item away, instead we can make use of the item.
· Much of the waste can immediately be reused to minimize the strain on the environment and municipal waste management.
· Reusing an item means that it continues to be a valuable, useful, productive item, and replaces new items that would utilize more water, energy, timber, petroleum, and other limited natural resources in their manufacture.
Benefits of Reuse
Many reuse programs have evolved from local solid waste reduction goals because reuse requires fewer resources, less energy, and less labor, compared to recycling, disposal, or the manufacture of new products from virgin materials. Reuse provides an excellent, environmentally-preferred alternative to other waste management methods, because it reduces air, water and land pollution, limits the need for new natural resources, such as timber, petroleum, fibers and other materials.
Example
· Plastic containers and reusable lunch bags are great ways to take your lunch to school without creating waste.
· Use all writing paper on both sides.
· Use paper grocery bags to make book covers rather than buying new ones.
· Store food in reusable plastic containers.
· Use silverware and dishes instead of disposable plastic utensils and plates.
Recycle:
Many of the things we use every day, like paper bags, soda cans, and milk cartons, are made out of materials that can be recycled. Recycled items are put through a process that makes it possible to create new products out of the materials from the old ones. We need to identify old products which could be made into something new. Some materials are much harder to recycle than others. Plastic based products can be very hard to recycle, when compared with paper based products.
When waste is eventually discarded, segregating items for recycling from other waste is important. Recyclables include glass, newspaper, aluminum, cardboard and a surprising array of other materials. Lead, for example, has one of the highest recycling rates because of laws requiring the recycling of lead-acid batteries. In addition to recycling the things you buy, you can help the environment by buying products that contain recycled materials.
Steps to Recycling Materials
Recycling includes the three steps below:
1. Collection and Processing: There are several methods for collecting recyclables, including curbside collection, drop-off centers, and deposit or refund programs. After collection, recyclables are sent to a recovery facility to be sorted, cleaned, and processed into materials that can be used in manufacturing.
2. Manufacturing : More and more of today's products are being manufactured with recycled content. Common household items that contain recycled materials include:
By buying new products made from recycled materials you help close the recycling loop. There are thousands of products that contain recycled content. When you go shopping, look for:
Recycling is the process of making or manufacturing new products from a product that has originally served its purpose. If these used products are disposed of in an appropriate, environmentally friendly way, the process of recycling has been set in motion. Recycling is a key component of modern waste reduction and is the third component of the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle waste hierarchy.
Three R’s in Recycling
Reduce:
The first and most effective component of the waste hierarchy is reducing the waste created.
· A key part of waste reduction is conservation—using natural resources wisely, and using less than usual in order avoid waste.
· We need to reduce the amount of the earth's resources we use to make products which may not be essential.
· Reducing the amount of waste you produce is the best way to help the environment.
· Businesses can adopt manufacturing methods that require fewer resources and generate less waste.
· In addition to benefiting the environment, these efforts often offer consumers and businesses the financial incentive of lower expenses in purchases.
Example:
· Instead of buying something you're not going to use very often, see if you can borrow it from someone you know.
· Save energy by turning off lights that you are not using.
Reuse:
Reuse is to use again especially in a different way or after reclaiming or reprocessing.
· We need to adopt the habit of reusing products. Don't just throw an item away, instead we can make use of the item.
· Much of the waste can immediately be reused to minimize the strain on the environment and municipal waste management.
· Reusing an item means that it continues to be a valuable, useful, productive item, and replaces new items that would utilize more water, energy, timber, petroleum, and other limited natural resources in their manufacture.
Benefits of Reuse
Many reuse programs have evolved from local solid waste reduction goals because reuse requires fewer resources, less energy, and less labor, compared to recycling, disposal, or the manufacture of new products from virgin materials. Reuse provides an excellent, environmentally-preferred alternative to other waste management methods, because it reduces air, water and land pollution, limits the need for new natural resources, such as timber, petroleum, fibers and other materials.
Example
· Plastic containers and reusable lunch bags are great ways to take your lunch to school without creating waste.
· Use all writing paper on both sides.
· Use paper grocery bags to make book covers rather than buying new ones.
· Store food in reusable plastic containers.
· Use silverware and dishes instead of disposable plastic utensils and plates.
Recycle:
Many of the things we use every day, like paper bags, soda cans, and milk cartons, are made out of materials that can be recycled. Recycled items are put through a process that makes it possible to create new products out of the materials from the old ones. We need to identify old products which could be made into something new. Some materials are much harder to recycle than others. Plastic based products can be very hard to recycle, when compared with paper based products.
When waste is eventually discarded, segregating items for recycling from other waste is important. Recyclables include glass, newspaper, aluminum, cardboard and a surprising array of other materials. Lead, for example, has one of the highest recycling rates because of laws requiring the recycling of lead-acid batteries. In addition to recycling the things you buy, you can help the environment by buying products that contain recycled materials.
Steps to Recycling Materials
Recycling includes the three steps below:
1. Collection and Processing: There are several methods for collecting recyclables, including curbside collection, drop-off centers, and deposit or refund programs. After collection, recyclables are sent to a recovery facility to be sorted, cleaned, and processed into materials that can be used in manufacturing.
2. Manufacturing : More and more of today's products are being manufactured with recycled content. Common household items that contain recycled materials include:
- newspapers and paper towels;
- aluminum, plastic, and glass soft drink containers;
- steel cans; and
- plastic laundry detergent bottles.
By buying new products made from recycled materials you help close the recycling loop. There are thousands of products that contain recycled content. When you go shopping, look for:
- Products that can be easily recycled, and
- Products that contain recycled content.